Manila

[Pete Benetar]

Also, I wonder if "inactive" marine waiting for orders means somebody on leave, or is it somebody temporarily relieved from duty due to being questionably "fit for service"? Alcoholism perhaps, which could be related to other mental health issues, or am I reading too much into the story?

Yes, you are.

Inactive Duty in the US armed forces is usually synonymous with Individual Ready Reserve which only means that you have completed any active duty contractual obligation (for school loan repayment, cash signing bonuses, GI Bill etc) ; after discharge from active duty you have a set period of time (typically 4 years) during which time your name will stay on a roster ready for recall so that if a war breaks out Uncle Sam will have more bodies to pull into the grinder before a draft is implemented. Most people in this status do not really consider themselves "on duty", of any sort. Many former soldiers, marines etc do not read the fine print (or forget) and do not even realize they can be recalled or that they are "on duty".

Not saying the guy stabbed wasn't messed up. Walk up to a car of 4 guys at 4 am and start giving them crap...Res Ipsa Loquitur

Ordinarily, I would leave it at that. But you seem to demonstrate limited reasoning in your opinionated posts and so I can only wonder if your prep school teachers tossed your neurons into linguine or perhaps you hit your head when the obstetrician dropped you onto the floor at childbirth.

[Jambo]

Grahamak at PIatNight posted a Youtube clip of the incident.

http://youtu.be/7ycDVpHCONk

Also, I wonder if "inactive" marine waiting for orders means somebody on leave,

Military "Reservists" can bounce from inactive to active for years. Before 991 a reservist was almost never called up, now its a regular thing. I was always active duty and wish they had some kind of badge to show that.

[Gangles]

FF, I think that you are making a big generalisation here.

I occasionally drink with groups of pinoy, and it usually me that buys the Red Horse. They are friendly, well behaved, and I would never consider treating them with suspicion.

And I would imagine that other foreigners who live here, or who have contacts with families find the same situation.

However, having said that, bunches of pinoy out at night could be seen as a threat. But so are bunches of guys in my local town, or in some areas of capital cities in Australia. What is the difference?

G.

Always keep your distance from any group of male Filpinos.

They are often a sad group who have lots in common with the gangs that roam the streets of England. They hate anyone who is different and they carry knives and arent shy to show how macho they.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/578...lomats-husband

And no reason exists to create problems with these fellows. Keep your distance!

[Soapy Smith]

They are often a sad group who have lots in common with the gangs that roam the streets of England. They hate anyone who is different and they carry knives and arent shy to show how macho they.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/578...lomats-husband

Two were "businessmen" from Makati, and another (or two) were De La Salle students. Also consider fraternity violence (even murders) at the major universities, presumably among the society's elite young adults. Is this gang behavior or something that rises to the level of national culture-atleast among Filipino men? I posted about the underlying cultural paradox in the general info thread before I saw FF's link to the Inquirer.

Also, I wonder if "inactive" marine waiting for orders means somebody on leave, or is it somebody temporarily relieved from duty due to being questionably "fit for service"? Alcoholism perhaps, which could be related to other mental health issues, or am I reading too much into the story?

[Frenzy3]

They can be very friendly, but their friendliness can turn in a nanosecond due to percieved hostilty, a misunderstood joke, a percieved slight on their manhood (or lack of) or, anything else that they didn't quite get. Highly sensitive and prone to huge attacks of the ego, and their belief that "they" are always right and the foreigner is probably wrong.

Yes I find drunk foriegners fit that description spot on. They get even bigger egos when they come here and drink.

[Frenzy3]

Always keep your distance from any group of male Filpinos.

They are often a sad group who have lots in common with the gangs that roam the streets of England. They hate anyone who is different and they carry knives and arent shy to show how macho they.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/578...lomats-husband

And no reason exists to create problems with these fellows. Keep your distance!

Telling some one what to do and driving into a parked car with 4 guys in it at a security gate while drunk is really a dumb thing to do I am not sure what country he would think that was acceptable behavior, but in PI and your a foriegner and the car is full of locals yes suicidal.

Back in Aust it usually a car full of bogans who run into you, more fun here as they say.

[FreebieFan]

Maybe FFan want's to recommend keeping your distance from Red Horse drinking Filipinos at night. Otherwise, they can be quite friendly.

They can be very friendly, but their friendliness can turn in a nanosecond due to percieved hostilty, a misunderstood joke, a percieved slight on their manhood (or lack of) or, anything else that they didn't quite get. Highly sensitive and prone to huge attacks of the ego, and their belief that "they" are always right and the foreigner is probably wrong.

[X Man]

Maybe FFan want's to recommend keeping your distance from Red Horse drinking Filipinos at night. Otherwise, they can be quite friendly.

Always keep your distance from any group of male Filpinos.

They are often a sad group who have lots in common with the gangs that roam the streets of England. They hate anyone who is different and they carry knives and arent shy to show how macho they.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/578...lomats-husband

And no reason exists to create problems with these fellows. Keep your distance!

[FreebieFan]

Always keep your distance from any group of male Filpinos.

They are often a sad group who have lots in common with the gangs that roam the streets of England. They hate anyone who is different and they carry knives and arent shy to show how macho they.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/578...lomats-husband

And no reason exists to create problems with these fellows. Keep your distance!

[Gangles]

In my opinion, the USA is the most corrupt country on the planet. Americans make corruption in other countries look like childs play.

This is the country where an industry, or a large corporation, sends teams of lobbyists to Congress with well lined pockets to buy the votes of members of congress to change law, make new law, or have existing laws repealed for the benefit of the industry, or the corporation.

Now that is corruption on a grand scale. And the American people see it a just being the way that business is done. Normal.

Wow,

G

I'm aware of your long running frustration, and many others of us share the same concerns. But you said nobody had been "tried, convicted, penalized or jailed." I believe impeachment is a trial.

You believe conditions are qualitatively different in the states. I'm not so sure. Check out a new literature beginning to appear under the name "State Crimes Against Democracy," with studies set in both the states and Australia. Or check out Glenn Greenwald's recent book, *Liberty and Justice for Some. You can check out the basics at Amazon without having to buy the book.

[Soapy Smith]

FYI, the clan you named currently holds a seat in the congress and continues to have alot of friends in very high places.

This may actually be an understatement. Imelda, yes, the widow, and she of many shoes, has a seat in the House of Representatives, a son, Ferdinand Jr, is in the Senate, and a daughter, Imee, is Governor of Ilocos Norte province.

[Member #4387]

I think we've had this friendly argument before, and I doubt that either of us will convince the other. I'm not a corruption virgin, and I acknowledge that the problem exists universally as soon as more than 2 politicians are elected anywhere. The difference here, I would argue, is one of both degree and kind. As far as degree, a conversation I had with a friend a couple of days ago is illustrative of what I mean. Both of us have worked in several countries, on several continents throughout the world; we've "done" several countries in Africa and SE Asia and we've seen corruption operating up close and personal in all of these countries. The major difference here is the overwhelming venality to an extent that precludes any real progress. It's one thing to tack 15-20% onto the cost of infrastructure, providing the infrastructure, though overpriced, gets built, as, for example, in Indonesia. It's quite another to steal 100, and to remain completely indifferent to improving the lives of the common citizens, which is pretty much what happens here.

I've probably said enough on the subject.

GE

I would hardly get into your dispute but I can not find the article but beeing read it stated that Philippines wealth are devided amongst 2-3% of the population meaning there are a few influencial families out there owning the hole damn country. They could easily find themself a new country and buy it but will not move until reality arrives and the corrupted has to stand down from their throwns facing jailtime etc. There will come times in the future where countries ex North Korea have to fight corruption atleast its populations will eventually say: enough is enough and riots and rebelment will take place. For some reasons good but have the avarage phil person enough ballast to know what is good for him / her as we speak? Much as in Thailand people seem not very interested in politics. They don't watch much documenteries from abroad to see how other countries work out. Norway (my country) stand out as a country free for corruption even if we have wealth in big time. But people here are well educated and can see through if someone is trying to make shortcuts and media (not run by government. But free press) will take down anyone trying to make a bribe small or big. I have no clue how phils are working but do they consider they have a free press or are all media houses run by a couple of the wealthy families?

Eventualy, maby not in my lifetime, North Korea as well will have their battles. But as long as China and Russia dont do anything about this retarded governmental leadership(as they want stability in their neighbourhood - china in particular) hardly US would follow up on South Korean retaliations when NK have shot at yet another marine wessel from SK..

[GoodEnough]

I'm aware of your long running frustration, and many others of us share the same concerns. But you said nobody had been "tried, convicted, penalized or jailed." I believe impeachment is a trial.

You believe conditions are qualitatively different in the states. I'm not so sure. Check out a new literature beginning to appear under the name "State Crimes Against Democracy," with studies set in both the states and Australia. Or check out Glenn Greenwald's recent book, *Liberty and Justice for Some. You can check out the basics at Amazon without having to buy the book.

I think we've had this friendly argument before, and I doubt that either of us will convince the other. I'm not a corruption virgin, and I acknowledge that the problem exists universally as soon as more than 2 politicians are elected anywhere. The difference here, I would argue, is one of both degree and kind. As far as degree, a conversation I had with a friend a couple of days ago is illustrative of what I mean. Both of us have worked in several countries, on several continents throughout the world; we've "done" several countries in Africa and SE Asia and we've seen corruption operating up close and personal in all of these countries. The major difference here is the overwhelming venality to an extent that precludes any real progress. It's one thing to tack 15-20% onto the cost of infrastructure, providing the infrastructure, though overpriced, gets built, as, for example, in Indonesia. It's quite another to steal 100, and to remain completely indifferent to improving the lives of the common citizens, which is pretty much what happens here.

I've probably said enough on the subject.

GE

[Member #4387]

Done a lot of work lately as in arriving in Manila tomorrow and building myself a fleet of regulars in this city as well. I was earlier talking about building myself a harem with girls living in an apt bought / rented by me. As for some fellow ISG`s members and their statements regarding this matter I feel I leave the idea for now as you guys and the professional real estate manager (whome I talked to a great deal) told me not to commence with my idea. As it would attract to much attention and the most joy I would get from it was to pay off cops a redicilous high ammount of bribes. Neighbours would go crazy and report 5-6 girls living together in a new apt building with me occationaly visit them. Would look to much as a pimp / girls on a payrole situation.

But as I have contacted a lot of girls upfront my trip from BKK to MNL tomorrow I will sure take advantage of this and meet quite a few of them. I got nearly 100 interests and mails from girls through various dating sites for wanting them to stay in my apartment (as stated above). They are all in age range from 19. 27 and without kids (atleast so they state).

I have made doublebookings for my days in MNL and I will go hard when it comes to fucking. All the girls claims not beeing professionals and they have not asked for anything. Yes, I know probably 50. 70% will not show even if they told me so. Thats why I have made doublebookings for the girls paying me a visit. I have told them about this as I am honest and girls coming will get compensated for time and effort. As we did not speak about money what would be the appropriated rate for girl showing up without me take them in room? Ofcourse transportation expenses but should I add 1-2000PHP?

As I stay 4 days and 3 bookings a day (6girls can be had per day if everyone shows up. But that want happen I hope) I will expect atleast 4 or 5 out of 24 will show. That I am satisfied with. I will according to one girl be met by her at the airport tomorrow. She claims she have car so no hazzle with taxi at the airport this time:-)

I have talked to everyone both in phone, webcam (to verify if pics and girls are the same) and through skype so they all seems interested. In my early communication I have put out in the open, as I want to find myself a GF (partly true except I allready have half pinay back home in Norway) , we have to have adultaction so I can see if we are compatible and take it from there relationshipwice. Most girls are fine with this (atleast they claim over datingsites at first and later in phone, skype etc). I have been open I want to meet many girls. 15 girls or so have denied thinking I am a pig. Doing this in a norwegian datingsite would create a lot of hazzle and I would probably get killed. But in phills they seem quite open and willing to meet themself a caucasian guy.

I don't know what I am diving into here but we will see. The girl I meet at the airport I feel has great potential as she is stunning beautiful. If everything works out smoothly I will find my gem in her. She is according to herself half american. Wow I can not wait. Only a few hours left.

[Simian]

What about the subway / metro? Does it run at night?

Seems my plan of going to all these places is not to optimal due to logistical issues.

Tell me I can get from Makati to Quezon City in 120 minutes atleast? I can't even hardly justify spending 4 hours of a day / night in a fucking cab. I can live with a 1 hour cab ride.

Also beings it takes so long, does that make cabs expensive?

I guess I need to hammer down a concrete plan for my time here. Ie Go ahead and plan which clubs I want to hit on each night I will be in Manila. Then figure out where to stay based on my itinerary.

The trick to making Manila bearable to get around is to pick your time for travel. Never travel by any form of transport between 6am and 9. 30am and between 4pm and 7pm, except perhaps the Skyway from Makati to NAIA (Manila airport). Don't even think about getting on the LRT / MRT / PNR (local rail, skytrain) at these times. In fact, it is not generally a good idea for foreigners to travel on public transport at all. Take a cab. And don't travel around lunch times.

Stay away from the Manila roads on the week before Christmas. Also, avoid travel during the Friday of a pay day week (15th and 30th of every month) as people head for the provinces on those Fridays.

Otherwise, during the day a cab from Makati to Malate / Ermita will take up to an hour, less during weekend / night. Quezon City is always a pain. But I have made it in about 1 hour, perhaps 90 minutes if you are really unlucky.

Cabs are not expensive, even when you get one in Ermita / Malate who wants to travel without a meter and hit you up for a higher price. All cabs appreciate a tip and tips become mandatory during bad weather. I never pay more than about 150 pesos for a trip from Makati to Ermita / Malate. I always give the guy a tip as it has got to be a tough way to make a living.