General Info

[Wicked Roger]

Have a question for the senior members: Where is it best to spend New Year's in the Philippines? Manila? Cebu? Davao? Or Angeles City? The simple answer is: it depends; but I was wondering where you think the most fun is to be had. Currently I'm in Cebu. It's a nice place. Lots of girls in the malls, but a bit low-key and I'm not sure about the quality of nightlife for a New Year's celebration.

Any advice, suggestions, or opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Cebu is great at New Years but as Skip said, no one will PM you as you have zero PM facility. Also you have 3 FRs all asking question (2 being the same in Cuba). If you give you get (as many have said and this board repeatedly before) and there is always Google to find the answers to your questions or RTFF if you go through some of the archives etc.

Google is the best bet I think plenty of information there.

[Soapy Smith]

Where is it best to spend New Year's in the Philippines? Manila? Cebu? Davao? Or Angeles City? The simple answer is: it depends; but I was wondering where you think the most fun is to be had. Currently I'm in Cebu. It's a nice place. Lots of girls in the malls, but a bit low-key and I'm not sure about the quality of nightlife for a New Year's celebration.

The problem with your question is that, not only does it "depend" (on what kind of experience you want), but individuals' answers hinge on their tastes and experiences, and these may be quite different than your own. A better question might be, "in which city do sufficient numbers of women remain over New Years rather than retreat home to the provinces"? I think somebody asked this question in one of the threads, maybe this one, a couple weeks ago. You need to do some homework.

More important, it would behoove you to pay up the 20 USD and join the forum officially. Experienced mongers are much more willing to impart information if they think you are not a freerider. Then check out threads for the various cities, note who spends time in each one and has tastes similar to yours, and ask them privately via PM. Then you can also carry on a give-and-take conversation to get at the details. This all takes some focused effort; if you've spent enough to be in the Philippines over the holidays, you should not squander the opportunity by depending on "quick and dirty" inquiries. Joining the forum is one of the best $20 investments you'll ever make.

[Shango]

Have a question for the senior members: Where is it best to spend New Year's in the Philippines? Manila? Cebu? Davao? Or Angeles City? The simple answer is: it depends; but I was wondering where you think the most fun is to be had. Currently I'm in Cebu. It's a nice place. Lots of girls in the malls, but a bit low-key and I'm not sure about the quality of nightlife for a New Year's celebration.

Any advice, suggestions, or opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[Econo Tech]

Remember that each HSBC is a franchised operation for each country even though they are a linked international bank.

This means that HSBC Philippines is a separate entity and subject to Philippines banking laws (including how much of your deposit is insured).

However, the HSBC ATMs everywhere are linked and it is easy to withdraw cash anywhere in the world (in my experience, and I have used them in HK, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia with ease).

Special arrangements can be made whereby you pay zero fees for withdrawals. For example, if you deposit whole-of-salary or maybe whole pension cheque in your account each month you will get special benefits.

Didn't know how HSBC operated, but in PH Law, foreigners can only own 40, so sure anybody doing business will have to rope in a local partner.

[Red Kilt]

As Redman says try HSBC. If you are an existing account holder it is easy to open an account here but check the minimum amount to hold in the account. If a Premier holder there is not such nonsense and it is simple to open. If not there is a minimum account balance but is not $100k it is much less and in pesos. Also get a dollar and pesos account

Best is to seek out HSBC in your home country and see hat it advises for the Philippines.

Remember that each HSBC is a franchised operation for each country even though they are a linked international bank.

This means that HSBC Philippines is a separate entity and subject to Philippines banking laws (including how much of your deposit is insured).

However, the HSBC ATMs everywhere are linked and it is easy to withdraw cash anywhere in the world (in my experience, and I have used them in HK, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia with ease).

Special arrangements can be made whereby you pay zero fees for withdrawals. For example, if you deposit whole-of-salary or maybe whole pension cheque in your account each month you will get special benefits.

[Wicked Roger]

As a last resort I can always transfer my accounts to one of these 3 banks in my home country.

If you are not happy with the local banks and can't open from your home country I would do the above, and visit HSBC as the staff helped me open accounts and it is fairly quick.

[Johan Waans]

Thank you for the information, guys. I found 3 banks which have a branch in my country. HSBC is not one of them.

I guess I will just travel to Philippines and see what happens. As I am used to dealing with none Western economies.

As a last resort I can always transfer my accounts to one of these 3 banks in my home country.

[Wicked Roger]

Guys,

I am trying to decide in which country to retire. Regarding Philippines : is it possible to travel to Philippines

For one month and to open a bank account without the ACRI card. Because I would like to return to my country for 2 months to.

Deal with all the legal issues and transfer money into that account and then return to Philippines and apply for the ACRI card after 59 days. Thanks in advance.

I would speak to the bank in your home country and see if it has a correspondent bank in the Philippines. If so try and pen an account in the country from your home base bank.

If not for all local banks I think you will need to show you are a resident.

As Redman says try HSBC. If you are an existing account holder it is easy to open an account here but check the minimum amount to hold in the account. If a Premier holder there is not such nonsense and it is simple to open. If not there is a minimum account balance but is not $100k it is much less and in pesos. Also get a dollar and pesos account

Best is to seek out HSBC in your home country and see hat it advises for the Philippines.

[Redman69]

I have opened two accounts on two occasions in RP. Both with BPI which is owned by a Ayla sub. It takes 20 working days for US checks to clear. You need to open a account with a min. Of 500 dollars and it will be called a dollar account. You can get a ATM card also. All I can say is from experience all things in RP. Are subject to change. So today you might not be able to do what I said.

HSBC, has a program if you keep 100K in your US account you can tap it from anywhere in the world we no fees. I do not know your price range. But there are Branches in Manila and Cebu that I have seen. If you are traveling that part of the world. And can afford it. I would say that HSBC is the best way to go as you can tap your funds where ever there is a branch. If in the special program of a min. 100K.

[Johan Waans]

Guys,

I am trying to decide in which country to retire. Regarding Philippines : is it possible to travel to Philippines

For one month and to open a bank account without the ACRI card. Because I would like to return to my country for 2 months to.

Deal with all the legal issues and transfer money into that account and then return to Philippines and apply for the ACRI card after 59 days. Thanks in advance.

[Slippery]

I dunno, I put CP there with Korean Air. From Chicago to Hong Kong is one of the longest flights on the globe and that's on CP. I've done it a few times and its just toooooooo long. I break things up by going from Chicago to Incheon on Korean Air. A break at Incheon and 3+ hours to Manila. Excellent treatment by both airlines both on the ground and in the air.

[Hutsori]

Whoops, wrong thread.

[Mongerer69]

Have you ever stayed in Wanchai HK? Every trip to PI I do a 2 night stay over in Wanchai with my friend and have the time of my life with. Admittedly. More expensive Filipinas, Indos, Vietnamese. I really enjoy the club scene in Wanchai. Amazonia (Ice Box Band) Rock and Roll. It is the perfect way to begin or end a trip to the Philippines.

The Cathay lounge is the only thing I actually like about HK.

[GoodEnough]

First, on the subject of airlines, I agree that Cathay Pacific is the best, though I've not flown Singapore Airlines to the States. I took Korean Airlines to New York in August, and in September back to the Philippines from LA, and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't as good as Cathay, and the seats in Business Class were not as comfortable.

As to road transportation, there are no good options. The road transport infrastructure is a shambles, with little investment, poor design, spotty maintenance and unsafe drivers. I've been driving here for 10+years and if anything it's getting worse: no law enforcement, undisciplined drivers, and the roads are full of vehicles that would never be permitted to operate in most countries. That said, I don't agree that buses present a safer alternative. As evidenced by the bus accident last week in Manila that killed about 18 people, the buses are poorly maintained, the drivers are reckless, and they're reputed often to take amphetamines to stay awake. I think renting a car and driving yourself is marginally safer however driving here is not for the faint of heart.

This is a country that, platitudes of the politicians aside, cares little for public safety and it's entire transport sector provides evidence of this contention.

GE

[DriveAllNight]

I have done them all from the states. Cathay Pacific is by far the best Airline servicing the US to Manila. Thru Hong Kong, plus we get to stop over in HK at no charge to play in Wanchai for a couple of nites. US United and Delta carriers suck long haul with their Bitchy Grandma Flight Attendants and charging for drinks and other things. I am going to Asia to forget about bitchy American ladies I don't want to be reminded of them in flight. ANA is not much better and food sucks too much Japanese. China Airlines suck also. For me and my travelling companions for about $200 more than US carriers you can't compare the service food and comfort of Cathay Pacific. Their Flight Attendants look like Porcelain Dolls and are so friendly and accommodating. Cathay is indeed in a different league.

Agree 100 percent, Cathay is the best to Asia. Beautiful attendants, nearly always on-time, no lost luggage, and their VIP lounge in HK is the nicest I've seen. Also, their Premium Economy seats are perfect for those who want some extra room and / or booze but don't want to shell out for Business or First.

The Cathay lounge is the only thing I actually like about HK.