General Info

[QUOTE=TomJackin;2919000]Thank you for the information. I feel that we have crossed mongering paths before. Here are some more pics from 1991.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Could be. '78 was well before my time but '91 is closer to my vintage. I remember hearing about Pinatubo at the time. I was in Asia but not Philippines.

With our emergency services, insurance, relief packages etc, it's easy to underestimate the ongoing devastation that natural disasters can cause elsewhere. I was in Sabang when a typhoon passed directly over head. Power, water etc were turned off the day before, to stop houses burning down etc and weren't turned back on in some places for literally months. There are many similar stories around earthquakes etc.

Cheers. G.

I am hoping to make a trip to BKK later in the year, and it occurred to me to do a stop over for a few days in the Philippines. One reason is that there are direct flights from LOS Angeles to Manila that are about 14 hours. Most connecting flights to BKK total about 24 hours which is brutal. I haven't made a good plan yet, but thinking of trying 2 or 3 places possibly Makati, Angeles, Subik or possibly an island that has some limited action. I know RTFF is always the suggestion, but this will take weeks of research. I think RedCat may be out of date, so I would trust you pro mongers for advice. A week to 10 days, an area that has good selection within a reasonable walk or ride. My last trip to BKK was mostly a disappointment, but I am familiar with it at least and hope to have better luck this time around. Any suggestions appreciated!

Stan.

[QUOTE=OneNightStan;2919299]I am hoping to make a trip to BKK later in the year, and it occurred to me to do a stop over for a few days in the Philippines. One reason is that there are direct flights from LOS Angeles to Manila that are about 14 hours. Most connecting flights to BKK total about 24 hours which is brutal. I haven't made a good plan yet, but thinking of trying 2 or 3 places possibly Makati, Angeles, Subik or possibly an island that has some limited action. I know RTFF is always the suggestion, but this will take weeks of research. I think RedCat may be out of date, so I would trust you pro mongers for advice. A week to 10 days, an area that has good selection within a reasonable walk or ride. My last trip to BKK was mostly a disappointment, but I am familiar with it at least and hope to have better luck this time around. Any suggestions appreciated!

Stan.[/QUOTE]As you still have plenty of weeks to research, it would really help if you did RTFF about the places you mentioned, then come back with questions about specific issues you may have.

[QUOTE=OneNightStan;2919299]I am hoping to make a trip to BKK later in the year, and it occurred to me to do a stop over for a few days in the Philippines. One reason is that there are direct flights from LOS Angeles to Manila that are about 14 hours. Most connecting flights to BKK total about 24 hours which is brutal. I haven't made a good plan yet, but thinking of trying 2 or 3 places possibly Makati, Angeles, Subik or possibly an island that has some limited action. I know RTFF is always the suggestion, but this will take weeks of research. I think RedCat may be out of date, so I would trust you pro mongers for advice. A week to 10 days, an area that has good selection within a reasonable walk or ride. My last trip to BKK was mostly a disappointment, but I am familiar with it at least and hope to have better luck this time around. Any suggestions appreciated!

Stan.[/QUOTE]Makati, AC and Subic are all point and shoot, if you're not too fussy, then you will be having fun for the whole time you are there. Remember though that you will loose a day round trip just getting to each. That leaves you with only 2 days at each getting your rocks off.

Throw in a nice beach or something similarly out of the way and your travel time increases as does the time to find a suitable girl. You could easily be down to one or even no meaningful sessions.

Only you can decide if you prefer to see a few different places but not achieve much at each or if you want to stay at one or two and do more.

Enjoy. G.

Your going to move to the Philippines or any other country a big mistake I've seen many here make is not renewing their passport to get a full ten years. Yes guys keep a mailing address like a brother etc but don't realize a passport that's good for 3 more years can still be renewed early. Last thing you want to do is arrive at your new home and have to travel to the embassy and deal with all of that extra paperwork.

[QUOTE=OneNightStan;2919299]I am hoping to make a trip to BKK later in the year, and it occurred to me to do a stop over for a few days in the Philippines. One reason is that there are direct flights from LOS Angeles to Manila that are about 14 hours. Most connecting flights to BKK total about 24 hours which is brutal. I haven't made a good plan yet, but thinking of trying 2 or 3 places possibly Makati, Angeles, Subik or possibly an island that has some limited action. I know RTFF is always the suggestion, but this will take weeks of research. I think RedCat may be out of date, so I would trust you pro mongers for advice. A week to 10 days, an area that has good selection within a reasonable walk or ride. My last trip to BKK was mostly a disappointment, but I am familiar with it at least and hope to have better luck this time around. Any suggestions appreciated!

Stan.[/QUOTE]To be straight forward with you. If you are too lazy to rtff and BKK was a disappointment then don't bother coming to Philippines. BKK is much easier than Philippines to monger.

Cops got busted in kidnapping.

[URL]https://apnews.com/article/philippine-police-kidnapping-tourists-fb3bc4cf8ca252d6fbcb744681334dd9[/URL]

[QUOTE=TomJackin;2918482]

My itinerary:

Malina Three nights at New Coast Hotel.

AC Six nights at ABC Hotel.

Olonapo Two nights (no hotel yet).

Questions:

What are your thoughts on my itinerary?

[/QUOTE]Sounds good, but why the short stay? Most of the western girly bar action is in Barrio Barretto where you'll find many retired military expats. Central Park Reef is across from Mo's (Dave) Maze bars which are quite popular especially on Fridays when they have their Son's of Bacchus (SOB) weekly party.

[QUOTE=Docwiltro;2920586]Sounds good, but why the short stay? Most of the western girly bar action is in Barrio Barretto where you'll find many retired military expats. Central Park Reef is across from Mo's (Dave) Maze bars which are quite popular especially on Fridays when they have their Son's of Bacchus (SOB) weekly party.[/QUOTE]I recently added on another night. I will be at the Central Park Reef for 3 nights. Thanks for the information.

[QUOTE=Breadman;2919871]Your going to move to the Philippines or any other country a big mistake I've seen many here make is not renewing their passport to get a full ten years. Yes guys keep a mailing address like a brother etc but don't realize a passport that's good for 3 more years can still be renewed early. Last thing you want to do is arrive at your new home and have to travel to the embassy and deal with all of that extra paperwork.[/QUOTE]Not all countries can renew early. Canadians can only renew in last year of old passport.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2920447]Cops got busted in kidnapping.

[URL]https://apnews.com/article/philippine-police-kidnapping-tourists-fb3bc4cf8ca252d6fbcb744681334dd9[/URL][/QUOTE]This kind of thing is almost never random in this case a well known KFR (kidnap for ransom) gang.

They usually target people in and around POGO hubs this is mostly how the crooked police get involved and why these are almost exclusively Chinese Taiwanese Korean and Malaysian. These people pay the ransom and go on with their lives they make sure that these guys are not totally clean but also have the wealth to pay a 1-2 million pesos ransom. Which is about 20-40 thousands dollars.

It is highly unlikely that they would target an american. Americans first call would be to the embassy Chinese won't do this. Since the Chinese are going to the philippines for POGO activity they will most likely decline embassy assistance and the likelihood of the embassy actually helping them is slim to none. I'm sure they go in ready with transactions and amounts of money the chinese have on hand due to POGO Anti-Money Laundering requirements so they go in well prepared and well informed because they have dossier on these people already.

This news article is more like don't get involved in POGO activity which most mongers I'm sure do not take part in. If you don't want to be held for ransom in the philippines don't go wander off in the south to find abu sayyaf and don't gamble.

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2920845]Not all countries can renew early. Canadians can only renew in last year of old passport.[/QUOTE]Report it as "lost". Then apply for a replacement?

[QUOTE=AussieGaigin;2921209]Report it as "lost". Then apply for a replacement?[/QUOTE]Much more difficult to get a replacement for a lost passport. (Especially in Afghanistan but that is another story. LOL).

[QUOTE=Breadman;2919871]Your going to move to the Philippines or any other country a big mistake I've seen many here make is not renewing their passport to get a full ten years. Yes guys keep a mailing address like a brother etc but don't realize a passport that's good for 3 more years can still be renewed early. Last thing you want to do is arrive at your new home and have to travel to the embassy and deal with all of that extra paperwork.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2920845]Not all countries can renew early. Canadians can only renew in last year of old passport.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=AussieGaigin;2921209]Report it as "lost". Then apply for a replacement?[/QUOTE]US passport renewal info, news. This first link is a news article. The article states that there is a new US gov website (second link) that is in beta mode, offering online tourist US passport renewals. There are some limitations outlined in the article, copy / pasted* here. Not sure how / if this applies to US fellas living overseas yet. The system is in beta and will change over time. Even if you live in Phils, many of us have a US residence (family) where they might be able to have a new PP sent to (fam can send it to you via UPS or such in Phils). This is the standard 8-week turnaround, not for emergency renewal. It might be easier to apply for a new PP thru the US Embassy in Manila. Cost is the standard $130 USD for any new or replacement PP.

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/online-passport-renewal-now-available-211252703.html[/URL]

[I]To qualify for online passport renewals, applicants must:

* Have an existing USA Passport that was issued no more than 15 years prior to the new application date. It must still be in the applicant's possession, and not previously reported lost or stolen.

* Not be changing their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth for the new passport.

* Be applying for a regular tourist passport.

* Live in a USA State or territory.

* Be able to pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card online.

* Be able to upload a digital photo.

* The State Department will not offer expediting for online passport renewals during the system trial period, so it requires applicants to certify that they have no international travel plans for at least eight weeks from the application date.

* The fee for online passport renewal is the same as renewal by mail $130. [B]The State Department advises applicants that their existing passport will be canceled as their renewal application is processed. New passports will still be delivered by mail after the application is approved[/B][/I]

[URL]https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html[/URL]

From the State website:

[I]You can renew online if you meet all these requirements:

* The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.

* The passport you are renewing was issued between 2009 and 2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application.

* You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.

* You are not traveling internationally for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application. We will only offer routine service during this limited release, and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail.

* You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic, official, service) passport online.

* [b]You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address[/b].

* You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not previously reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us.

* You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.

* You can upload a digital passport photo.

* [b]You are aware that the passport you are renewing will be canceled after you submit your application and you cannot use it for international travel.[/b][/I]

It seems the Filipina Pea is working overtime. Besides the YT channel, she has a tiktok channel with mostly shorter vids (2 minutes or less is typical). Some gems that I found:

[URL]https://www.tiktok.com/@thefilipinapea/video/7168846359397666074[/URL] -- 10 minute vid. Passport Bro discussion, some western ideas debunked. Go team Pea.

[URL]https://www.tiktok.com/@thefilipinapea/video/7067904568394386715[/URL] -- 2 minute vid. Star Trek TOS parody, funny (the Pea on the bridge of the Enterprise, with Capt Kirk).

WC.