Angeles City

[ForkTruck]

I keep the same sim for when I return. They last for 12 months before they become invalid and are blocked.

I was not aware that the sim card only lasts for 12 months, if you get a new sim before or after it becomes invalid do you have to get a new phone number or can you keep the old one? I will return to Philippines after my current sim is one year old. I really don't understand why the sim should ever become invalid as long as some load remains on the phone but this is the Philippines so to me just another illogical thing. I am curious to see if the new 3rd phone company, coming in the future, will have the same business plan as Smart and Globe which is put all their effort into selling load and next to zero effort into improving their processes. IMHO Smart and Globe are oligopoly marketing company's with a very minor and neglected side business of telecommunications.

[Robbaf]

I always thought they overcharge you for SIMs and plans in the airports, which is why I avoided setting up my SIM and Grab on the spot. Also it takes time to do that, which can also cause you to miss your next shuttle and / or Genesis bus. Don't just assume people are dumb Some of us can actually estimate times and plan ahead.

Anyways, I ended up buying a SIM once I got on Fields. Turns out it's about the same. I believe in NAIA they push the 300 p plan. On Fields it's like 50 p for the SIM and 100 p per week on Globe.

My last 20 or so trips, I have used the free Smart SIM offered at the airport Smart booth (as you depart customs) and paid for a 500 P load card, that they load and then they also load the current 14-day unlimited data and 7-day talk-text plans and I normally have around 50 P left. I also get 50 free texts for loading the 500 P load card. I watch them and they show me the text as it arrives when they load the 500 P load card and when they enter the plans. The Smart booths have the most current plans and in all my trips I have not had to buy any more load before departing.

[Goferring]

BTW, you can store the credit card info on your grab account and easily replenish your balance.

I suggest before you leave Philippines that you buy an extra sim and 100 load card to use on your next trip.

This is what I do with Grab: I just have my CC in the App. That way each ride is charged directly to my card and there is no need to top up or burn up cash on hand. Of course, this may not be the best if your particular card charges extra fees or would trigger fraud detection.

I keep the same sim for when I return. They last for 12 months before thetly become invalid and are blocked. Upon arrival I'm at the booth long enough to hand over 500 p for a reload card and that's it, I'm on my way. I do like the idea of buying a top up card on exit for use next time.

After you have a sim, both Globe and Smart do offer online top ups from their web site if you register your phone number. This can be the easiest as your number can be topped up at home before even getting on the plane. Third parties also provide this but at a substantial mark up.

[Tasss]

My point was to the other poster that you could figure out the process of buying the sim and load at the airport, get on the Genesis bus and download the Grab while on the bus.

BTW, you can store the credit card info on your grab account and easily replenish your balance.

I suggest before you leave Philippines that you buy an extra sim and 100 load card to use on your next trip. I usually leave with P5000 in various denominations so I don't have to exchange funds right away on my next trip. Also I have 3 days of vitamin V on hand.

Have fun in Phil and take your lunch sir.

I appreciate your input. I wasn't clear about it in my post but I have bought a SIM card at the airport before and I thought they overcharged, like most things at the airport. It turns out to not really be the case. Although if I remembered correctly, they did sell me more than I needed before. Finally I ended up not needing Grab since the trike had enough room for me and a luggage on the passenger side.

[Dg8787]

I always thought they overcharge you for SIMs and plans in the airports, which is why I avoided setting up my SIM and Grab on the spot. Also it takes time to do that, which can also cause you to miss your next shuttle and / or Genesis bus. Don't just assume people are dumb Some of us can actually estimate times and plan ahead.

Anyways, I ended up buying a SIM once I got on Fields. Turns out it's about the same. I believe in NAIA they push the 300 p plan. On Fields it's like 50 p for the SIM and 100 p per week on Globe.

My point was to the other poster that you could figure out the process of buying the sim and load at the airport, get on the Genesis bus and download the Grab while on the bus.

BTW, you can store the credit card info on your grab account and easily replenish your balance.

I suggest before you leave Philippines that you buy an extra sim and 100 load card to use on your next trip. I usually leave with P5000 in various denominations so I don't have to exchange funds right away on my next trip. Also I have 3 days of vitamin V on hand.

Have fun in Phil and take your lunch sir.

[Tasss]

Now that would be so dang easy! I thought he would be able to figure that out.

I always thought they overcharge you for SIMs and plans in the airports, which is why I avoided setting up my SIM and Grab on the spot. Also it takes time to do that, which can also cause you to miss your next shuttle and / or Genesis bus. Don't just assume people are dumb Some of us can actually estimate times and plan ahead.

Anyways, I ended up buying a SIM once I got on Fields. Turns out it's about the same. I believe in NAIA they push the 300 p plan. On Fields it's like 50 p for the SIM and 100 p per week on Globe.

[Goferring]

Question 3. Prefer dealing direct with girl. Is there any room for 1500 to bar and then 1500 to girl later? If you pay 3000 straight up what incentive is there for girl to give good performance.
Yes, get out of fields and head up the road (afternoon is best). The 3K is the bar fine, there is still a tip to consider if you want incentives.

Hope that helps a little.

Transporter is correct. However, don't get the impression that a substantial tip is required. The girl gets a portion of the BF so any tip is to say thanks but not essential.

I gave no tip to the girl that did a runner on me and got no complaints. She didn't bat an eye lid as she did nothing to deserve one.

2-300 p says "thanks"; 500 p says "that was great"; 1000 p would be after you needed three days to recover.

Enjoy. G.

[Transporter]

Been doing some prelim research on Angeles Bars for maiden trip. Appears some bars are more Korean focused so best left alone. Rest of bars appears 3000 bar fine is standard and drinks in the 75 to 125 peso range.
You could say that almost everywhere in PI is Korean focused, but then again that would be generalizing too much. It is true that the girls are asian focused, light skin tone, or blond hair blue eyes, so if you are korean, japanese, or chinese the girls see it as an easier night. They prefer the three threes. Too them it is the easiest to service, so girls have preferences.

Also larger bars Atlantis, Flamingo, Club Asia and Lancelot obviously have more choice.
In general you could conclude that, but what is more important is how many can you see at a time as opposed to how many total in staff.

Question 1- Lady drinks I would presume are more costly?
Yes..figure about double depending upon time of day and if it is a single, double ladies drink, or premium.

Question 2. Generally speaking seeing BF and drink prices are similar, is it a case of visiting each bar and see what you find in each? Read Q bar, Red bar, Shooterz small or poor selection.
Seeing each bar is SOP, but also visiting them at different times (shifts) will also be a plus

Question 3. Prefer dealing direct with girl. Is there any room for 1500 to bar and then 1500 to girl later? If you pay 3000 straight up what incentive is there for girl to give good performance.
Yes, get out of fields and head up the road (afternoon is best). The 3K is the bar fine, there is still a tip to consider if you want incentives.

Question 4. Bar girls preferable to FL as at least if do runner can go back to bar but have often found in Phil mamasans just play dumb so no great benefit of taking bar girl over FL. Intend to use Wechat et al as well.
When you find a bar you like, buy the mama a drink)s), make friends, ask her recommendations. Get her cp number, you can use her as your pimp.

Question 5. Is Kokomo's food relatively good as seems like good spot to sit and peruse talent.
Its not good, but its not bad. No real need in AC to hang out looking for girls walking by, when you can just go see them 24/7

Appreciate any feedback.

NI.

Hope that helps a little.

[DzikaBomba]

Question 4. Bar girls preferable to FL as at least if do runner can go back to bar but have often found in Phil mamasans just play dumb so no great benefit of taking bar girl over FL. Intend to use Wechat et al as well.

NI.

Wechat really went downhill in the last time. I'm now in AC and can't use it for FL anymore. Only Baklas and Gays. Maybe 1 old Lady.

I tried a new App. MeetMe. Better Results than WeChat.

[Goferring]

To Tass.

I will never carry all my baggage all the way to AC, I always stay at Manila for one night hotel can hold your baggage just carry a small tote bag and take the bus to AC from Avenida or EDSA bus station.

Fast Eddie 48.

Spot on Fast Eddie. One of the best things about my last trip was that I travelled with a bag smaller than international carry on. It was super convenient when jumping in and out of taxis, airports, hotels etc.

If Tass needs to bring copious amounts of baggage for work etc I would definitely look at leaving the non essentials in Manila and collecting when I returned. Most hotels will do this for you.

[Fast Eddie 48]

I'll be using the Genesis bus from Manila for the first time. I'll also be carrying a large luggage with me. Is there a way besides trike to get from SM Clark to a hotel at Fields? I'm afraid a trike can't hold me and my luggage at the same time (or maybe it can, never tried). If that option fails I guess I can use a Grab Car, but I've no experience with Grab.

To Tass.

I will never carry all my baggage all the way to AC, I always stay at Manila for one night hotel can hold your baggage just carry a small tote bag and take the bus to AC from Avenida or EDSA bus station.

Fast Eddie 48.

[Goferring]

There is none. You pay the barfine, and no tip is required (unless you want). There is little incentive for good performance. Majority of my experiences are of good performance, with the occasional runner who does not stay the night. You can always offer a tip in the bar before barfining, to entice the girl into good performance.

I realise we are talking about AC but it's important for a newbie or travelling monger to realise that this is not universal across PH. In several other places you will pay roughly half to the bar first and then another half to the girl in the morning. Of course they will try to get full pre payment from someone who does not know the system but it's certainly not required or advised. Burgos and Sabang are examples.

I'd certainly agree that this promotes better service.

Enjoy. G.

[WestCoast1]

Question 1- Lady drinks I would presume are more costly?

Yes.

Question 3. Prefer dealing direct with girl. Is there any room for 1500 to bar and then 1500 to girl later? If you pay 3000 straight up what incentive is there for girl to give good performance.

There is none. You pay the barfine, and no tip is required (unless you want). There is little incentive for good performance. Majority of my experiences are of good performance, with the occasional runner who does not stay the night. You can always offer a tip in the bar before barfining, to entice the girl into good performance.

Question 4. Bar girls preferable to FL as at least if do runner can go back to bar but have often found in Phil mamasans just play dumb so no great benefit of taking bar girl over FL. Intend to use Wechat et al as well.

That's not a question.

Question 5. Is Kokomo's food relatively good as seems like good spot to sit and peruse talent.

Fair. Better to order an iced tea or brew and peruse.

[NewImage]

Been doing some prelim research on Angeles Bars for maiden trip. Appears some bars are more Korean focused so best left alone. Rest of bars appears 3000 bar fine is standard and drinks in the 75 to 125 peso range.

Also larger bars Atlantis, Flamingo, Club Asia and Lancelot obviously have more choice.

Question 1- Lady drinks I would presume are more costly?

Question 2. Generally speaking seeing BF and drink prices are similar, is it a case of visiting each bar and see what you find in each? Read Q bar, Red bar, Shooterz small or poor selection.

Question 3. Prefer dealing direct with girl. Is there any room for 1500 to bar and then 1500 to girl later? If you pay 3000 straight up what incentive is there for girl to give good performance.

Question 4. Bar girls preferable to FL as at least if do runner can go back to bar but have often found in Phil mamasans just play dumb so no great benefit of taking bar girl over FL. Intend to use Wechat et al as well.

Question 5. Is Kokomo's food relatively good as seems like good spot to sit and peruse talent.

Appreciate any feedback.

NI.

[JimThom]

If you are close to Savers Mall again, cross the road, go one street back and the road parallel going back towards Fields has many local foods place. This area is close to the popular Diamond Estate.

Thanks for the update.

BD.

Wow. That's great. A lot of places there. Thanks.

And when I mentioned 19 Copung Copung in my original post, I should have said it was on MacArthur since the auto-format on this forum turned "Manila capital letter en, as in north, Road, " into "Manila and Road."