Manila

[Columpuss]

Scuba

My case, I never bring more than 500 to the PI. There are ATMs, banks (though I don't know why but many won't take visa) that will take a few percents off your withdraws. It's worth it because you'll never know what will happen to cash. As for girls take a bus or cheap fly to Angeles City, 50 miles away, where everything concentrated in one place, no need for taxi (go to the AC forum and ask more detail questions if you need). From there, after all the fun, you can either go alone or bring your favorite bar girl to the Island of Boracay, where there are good beach, reef, food and hotels. As Mookman has mentioned, everyone speak English, easy to talk to and courteous, all you have to do is be the same in return but don't walk around looking like Bambi or flashy, just keep a low profile. Good luck bud.

[Flying Scotsman]

Re Mookman post.

I only recommended a guide to newbies in Manila, and only a guide who is known and trusted by many members of this board. Even if you speak English some taxi drivers wil rip you off. I had a friend, who is an old asia hand, robbed last year in Manila by a taxi driver who pulled a gun on him ! OK, this is a very rare occurrence but it pays to be careful. Mookman has been travelling in Philippines for three years without trouble. I have been travelling in Philippines for 23 years without much trouble but I still recommend a guide for anyone new, until they find their way around. Everyone here has different advice and that is all it is, advice. So make up your own mind guys, but remember, when you walk out of a club at 3am in the morning, that its nice to have a face you now is trustworthy waiting for you.

The Flying Scotsman

Mookman. Most of what you say i agree with. I just think it pays to be careful when your new to a place.

[Firedick]

Scuba,

If you're trying to keep it close to Manila, Anilao (down near Batangas) is pretty good, especially if you like "muck diving". Be prepared for lots of litter.

But, as a first timer, I would recommend Sabang in Puerto Galrea.
Night life, very nice diving and an easy hit from Manila. Best way for the beginner (IMHO) is the "Si-kat" bus/ferry. I think they still run out of the City Tower in Ermita. One departure daily, 9:00 AM sharp. My favorite hotel in Sabang is the Atlantis. Pricey for some, $30 US to 70 US (for nice suites).

FD

[GoodEnough]

Scuba:

Don't think you're going to find very good diving in and around the immediate vicinity of Manila. The water's too polluted with industrial and human waste. If you are really into diving, get well away from the metro area. There are dozens of sites. There's also good reef diving at Paradise Island, which is a ten minute boat ride from Davao, and it's easy to find equpment rentals and diving groups.

[Mookman]

IMO, never use a guide, unless you can't speak english well. Everybody in the PI speaks english for the most part especially if you are in Manila. You can find all the info there is on this board, there is no secret places that a guide can take you. Any taxi driver in Manila will know where to go, all the casas, all the clubs, etc. Why pay more and give the guy a commission when you can keep it for yourself. The so called non-pro's or college girls that the guides will bring are just Casa girls, so don't pay the commission. Sex is too easy to find in the PI, don't let someone mooch off you. The only real way to find a non-pro is to use the dating sites, that's it. Let's not be stupid and think a non pro will ever be brought by a guide. Every Casa is known by every taxi driver because they are suppose to get a cut, what you do is tell the Casa that you requested that you be brought there, especially if you have been there before. They should give you a discount since they will not be paying commission to the driver. Just tip the driver a 100p, more than enough.

I honestly believe that Manila is relatively safe, of course don't be stupid and use common sense. I travel alone throughout Manila, to Cebu, to Nueva Viscaya and I am not filipino and nobody ever hassled me. Just use common sense and since you speak English they won't mess with you. The people there are very kind for the most part.

I went to the PI for the first time 3 years ago, only armed with the info on this board and other places. In your first trip, you will pretty much know everything.

I've been back at least 10 times in the last 3 years and seen and done everything that was recommended on this board. I can honestly say that if you read this board, you'll know more places to go to monger than the guide so why pay him to just drive you around. If you really want a driver, you can hire a driver from a taxi company for half the price you will pay a "guide". When you walk out of the airport, you see all the taxi stands, just ask them their rate for being your driver, haggle, you will get a good deal, if you must have a driver, but honestly that is retarded because taking a taxi is easy, even if they don't turn on the meter, just get out and pay them what you are suppose to, I've never had one taxi driver complain because they know they are in the wrong for not turning on the meter. The police will be on your side if it comes down to it.

So my recommendation if you plan on going to the PI alone or for the first time, read this board and just go. Need to find a Casa, just ask any taxi driver, he will take you. Need to find the P. Buergos ask any taxi driver, need to find Edsa ask any taxi driver. Why pay a guide to take your money. If you really feel the need some help finding girls in the PI, you probably are too stupid to earn money so will probably not have enough to afford a plane ticket anyway.

Also, for the most part, it seems people are willing to meet up in the PI for a few beers. If a long time member with many posts says he is willing to meet up at say LA Cafe or wherever, go and have a beer, ask questions. But the best is to ask all the questions on this board.

Don't pay a guide, get more girls for your hard earned money.

Mook

[Flying Scotsman]

Scuba,

As per my previous post, check out asiatravel.com for accomodation deals. For more info on Phils just read back the past few months posts. You'll find everything you need.

TFS

[Flying Scotsman]

Niles QP,

As GoodEnough suggests, the Heritage is excellent value for money. I always stay there although very rarely visit the EDSA complex these days. You can book Heritage online at www.asiatravel.com which has the best rates. $60 at the moment.

My suggestion to anone new is use a guide to find your way around. Check out JR, cellphone 0917 414 5416. I always use him in Manila and he is honest and will find you what you want. You can either use him to tour clubs or just to take you to a casa to pick up a girl. Its much safer than trying to find your own way around. In Heritage you will have no problems taking girls back.

If you havent already done so, read back for the past few months and you will pick up a load of useful info from this board.

Happy hunting.

The Flying Scotsman

[Ben2]

OK gang, here we go. Give me the scoop.

I am entertaining the idea of traveling to the Philippines for a few weeks.

This will be my first time. Where are the recommended places for action.

What places are not recommended.

Cities? Hotels? Bars? MP's?

How much money is recommended to take along? Couple of grand U.S.? I want to do some SCUBA diving so include this into the recommended places.

Hotel rates? And any other info would be welcome.

Thanks all!

[GoodEnough]

Niles QP:

Given that you're only going to be there one night, I would stay at the Heritage which is diagnolly across the street from EDSA. It's a five star hotel, but with a little negotiating, you can get a room for about $50 ++ which leaves you plenty of money for chasing women, and plenty of time because you can walk from the hotel to EDSA in less than 5 minutes.

[Niles QP]

I may be going to Manilia for a visa change this weekend. I am looking at arriving on sat and leaving on sun. Can someone post a good, reasonably priced hotel that is near EDSA. This is my first trip to PI for mongering and want to do as much as possible in the short time I will be there. EDSA seems to be a good mix of freelancers and bar girls, from what I have read here. Any help and contact phone numbers on the hotel would be great. Also, how much I pay these girls? I plan to have 400

[Ngp477]

Dodgy Fellow

QUOTE:
"I went back to the place before I left Manila for one more round, but Gem was already taken. I wound up doing her COUSIN. Don't quite remember her number - P, I believe - but she calls herself Sugar. According to them, Gem started working there 3 months ago after previously being employed in a Kenny Rogers chicken joint. Then she brought Sugar in. Not sure if that's true, but talk about keeping it in the family."



In the Philippines the girl's friend is always her "cousin".

[Dodgy Fellow]

Hi. This is my first post to the Philippine section. I visited Manila early last May to attend a friend's wedding, and decided to check out the local mongering scene. I was able to find this place called the Skyline Health Club, and I'd like to thank the poster who gave directions on how to get there, because I really had a great time.

The establishment itself is on the 8th floor of the Grand Boulevard Hotel. I guess the set-up of the Skyline is similar to other similar establishments in Manila. You first pay a fee to the Health Club, and then you'll be taken to a room where the girls line up for you to pick. Not sure if the window is one-way or two-way.

The girls are all dressed in short bathrobes, and either wore push-up bras or are really stacked for their size. From what I've been told, Skyline operates 24 hours/day, so it looked like my selection at the time were girls around 5'6" and below.

I picked a girl which the management claimed to be "new" (i.e., working there for 3 months). Her "ID number" is QQ, and she calls herself Gem. My luck with working girls has been pretty spotty; but Gem was definitely a treat. She became a maneater once we got down to business!

She teased - and I mean teased - me, slowly petting her way up my legs. Nibbling the skin on my knees, thighs, and hips. She came up and licked my nipples, then took her time working her way down to my dick. I was so ready I nearly came in her mouth when she finally went down on me. And I didn't even notice her put the condom in her mouth until she raised her head.

I don't think I lasted two minutes with her, but I don't regret it, because Gem blew my mind. I heartily recommend her skills to get a guy going.

I went back to the place before I left Manila for one more round, but Gem was already taken. I wound up doing her COUSIN. Don't quite remember her number - P, I believe - but she calls herself Sugar. According to them, Gem started working there 3 months ago after previously being employed in a Kenny Rogers chicken joint. Then she brought Sugar in. Not sure if that's true, but talk about keeping it in the family.

Sugar is not as skilled as Gem. I didn't know what kind of service to expect from the Skyline the first time I tried it, so number QQ really blew me away (in more ways than one). I guess I was a little more prepared with Sugar, though I still had fun.

The Skyline has a fee of less P2,000, but they charge lower before 6pm. Afterwards, you have to negotiate with the girls. Not sure how far down you can go; the earlier tips about the girls settling for P1,000 no longer seem to apply - I paid Gem and Sugar P1,500 each the two times I was there. But that was haggled down from P2,000. And you get a complimentary drink, plus a semi-legit (if short) massage to go with the sex. I believe the price tag would be around USD50, give or take a few greenbacks. I'll admit it may be overpriced, but it's worth it.

The next time I'm in town I'm going to try Airforce 1. :p

[Advantage]

There are now about eight to ten new go-go bars across from the Domestic airport. I was there one week ago. Complex is all new construction, very clean. Ladies and drinks priced about the same as EDSA. However, very few mongers to compete with.

[OutToLunch]

Anybody have info, directions on the new bar complex near the airport in Manila? I hear there are four or five new bars similar to what they have at the Edsa complex.

[Flying Scotsman]

Whats happening in Manila guys, is no one there? Has the place dried up? Anyway, another two weeks and I'll be back there myself. Anyone with any interesting new places to visit?

The Flying Scotsman