General Info

[QUOTE=PhilJoy;2961631]
Probably the nicest place I've visited is Bantayan Island off the north coast of Cebu.
[/QUOTE]I've also been to Bantayan Island, and thought it was definitely worth the visit. I got a bus up from Cebu City, it was about a 3 hour ride and I don't think the driver went more than about 35 mph though the average speed was a lot lower! It's not a very good road, and when we arrived at the ferry terminal at Hagnaya Port we found out that all ferries that day had been cancelled because of the weather. It wasn't that bad, but the forecast was for it to get worse so for safety reasons all ferry services were cancelled. They couldn't tell us when the ferry service would resume, and some bus passengers took the next bus back to Cebu City. I found a hotel near to the port and stayed the night, not knowing if the ferry service to Bantayan Island would resume the next day, but thankfully it did.

In 2020 they re-opened the airport on Bantayan Island which had fallen into disrepair and was closed for a number of years, and direct flights are now available from Mactan airport.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2962610]I've also been to Bantayan Island, and thought it was definitely worth the visit. I got a bus up from Cebu City, it was about a 3 hour ride and I don't think the driver went more than about 35 mph though the average speed was a lot lower! It's not a very good road, and when we arrived at the ferry terminal at Hagnaya Port we found out that all ferries that day had been cancelled because of the weather. It wasn't that bad, but the forecast was for it to get worse so for safety reasons all ferry services were cancelled. They couldn't tell us when the ferry service would resume, and some bus passengers took the next bus back to Cebu City. I found a hotel near to the port and stayed the night, not knowing if the ferry service to Bantayan Island would resume the next day, but thankfully it did.

In 2020 they re-opened the airport on Bantayan Island which had fallen into disrepair and was closed for a number of years, and direct flights are now available from Mactan airport.[/QUOTE]I lived there for a long time, and I still in touch with some locals, but I'm 99% sure there are no flights, unless it happened to change overnight.

Anyway, if you go there, BYO, and build in lots of flexibility into your travel plans, you may be stuck on the island for days in the row, the orders to cancel all water traffic comes from Cebu even if the local weather is fine, and it's enforced by the Coast Guard. Also if you're prone to health issues emergencies, just plan for the funeral arrangements, because it will take 5 hours under the best circumstances to reach the closest ER.

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2962926]
Anyway, if you go there, BYO, and build in lots of flexibility into your travel plans, you may be stuck on the island for days in the row, the orders to cancel all water traffic comes from Cebu even if the local weather is fine, and it's enforced by the Coast Guard.[/QUOTE]I think that applies to most of the islands to the north of Cebu. I've been trapped on Malapascua for days for the reason you mention. Trust me, when the dive boats are stopped, there is NOTHING to do until leaving the island is an option.

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2962926]I lived there for a long time, and I still in touch with some locals, but I'm 99% sure there are no flights, unless it happened to change overnight.
[/QUOTE]I stand corrected!

There was a big news story back in late 2020 announcing that the airport had re-opened;.

[URL]https://sugbo.ph/2020/bantayan-island-airport[/URL]

"Good news for Bantayan Island and the travelers! The Cebu Provincial Government, spearheaded by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, and Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have formally re-opened the newly-renovated Bantayan Island Airport.

As of December 2020, commercial flights to the public and local tourists have yet to be announced. AirJuan is expected to resume Mactan Bantayan flights by 1st Quarter of 2021."

But it looks like they never did! I just had a quick look online and I can't find any flight schedules from AirJuan (I think that their website is dead) or from other other airlines.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2963655]I stand corrected!

There was a big news story back in late 2020 announcing that the airport had re-opened;.

[URL]https://sugbo.ph/2020/bantayan-island-airport[/URL]

"Good news for Bantayan Island and the travelers! The Cebu Provincial Government, spearheaded by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, and Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have formally re-opened the newly-renovated Bantayan Island Airport.

As of December 2020, commercial flights to the public and local tourists have yet to be announced. AirJuan is expected to resume Mactan Bantayan flights by 1st Quarter of 2021."

But it looks like they never did! I just had a quick look online and I can't find any flight schedules from AirJuan (I think that their website is dead) or from other other airlines.[/QUOTE]I asure you 1000% that's not true, I would have been the first to fly, regardless of the price, the minimum 5 hours trip to reach civilization is a horror. The occasional flights in and out are only in small airplanes for skydiving. While I was living there few expats, tried to organize something with our own money to contract a plane or a chopper not locally, but maybe from a bigger place like Cebu, Iloilo, or Bacolod, that will come in case of an emergency, to take you to a hospital, so that you don't die waiting for the boat, but it didn't worked out, mostly because of the bureaucracy.

Speaking of airports. See pics. From PAL, the winter seat sale. While the pic boasts a price as low as p209 (first pic), I found all domestic fares in the p1100-1200 range (second pic). Look for yourself. These are 1-way fares. Add in the additional taxes and fees (typically p2 k+), and you are at p3-4 k per 1-way ticket, or p6-8 k round-trip. The sale is ongoing.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2962928]I think that applies to most of the islands to the north of Cebu. I've been trapped on Malapascua for days for the reason you mention. Trust me, when the dive boats are stopped, there is NOTHING to do until leaving the island is an option.[/QUOTE]Well you could enjoy the terrible Italian food that seems to all come from the same kitchen no matter the name on the door! Or at least that was the only options when I went there in 2017. Thresher Sharks were cool though.

And the boat isn't the worst part. The drive back to the airport from the ferry port was no joy either.

[QUOTE=ExpatAmerican;2963854]Well you could enjoy the terrible Italian food that seems to all come from the same kitchen no matter the name on the door! Or at least that was the only options when I went there in 2017. Thresher Sharks were cool though.

And the boat isn't the worst part. The drive back to the airport from the ferry port was no joy either.[/QUOTE]Actually I enjoyed the food on Malapasqua, the night market full of seafood dishes is a rare thing in the PH. For lunch time I had the guy with the only "restaurant" on the north beach grill a huge fresh caught baby tuna for 600 p, me and my GF were eating, also we fed everyday 2 cute girls that were selling trinkets allover the island, and they figured out after few days that if they are around there at lunch, they will get fed (too young to be mongering candidates) and we had leftovers for a few dogs. Next door there was a fancy resort with people sipping bright colored chemicals from tall glasses, and eating fries, and burgers, looking down on us.

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2963904]Actually I enjoyed the food on Malapasqua, the night market full of seafood dishes is a rare thing in the PH.[/QUOTE]On the theme of night markets, I'll throw in my 2 cents and say that the ones in Davao are also great. About 250 per meal for BBQ anything.

Cheers. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2963908]On the theme of night markets, I'll throw in my 2 cents and say that the ones in Davao are also great. About 250 per meal for BBQ anything.

Cheers. G.[/QUOTE]Can't wait to get there next month. I rented an apt in Matina Aplaya, do you know the place? I don't know if was a good choice, but I paid the for first month already.

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2963913]Can't wait to get there next month. I rented an apt in Matina Aplaya, do you know the place? I don't know if was a good choice, but I paid the for first month already.[/QUOTE]Sorry, I don't know it. For short stays, I can recommend Poblacion as you can walk everywhere, even the port to go to Samal. I used hotels but I did see many condos between People's Park and Gaisano.

I had one disaster with AirBnB in Avida but YMMV.

Yours looks good for longer stays so it will be interesting to read how convenient you find it.

Good luck. G.

Having dated (and shagged) a few Filipinas, I have compiled my list of characteristics that appear common to this rare and special species. In my experience, Pinay girls:

- Will usually have a strange name: e. G. A made-up name, two names merged together, a normal name but with the same first letter or same middle name as all her siblings.

- Will come to your home or hotel with an expectation of getting fucked, or failing that, will blow you as a consolation prize, and definitely will fuck you the second time.

- Will have no qualms about CIM and will swallow, no complaints (opposite from Thai girls).

- Will have a clean, fresh, shaved pussy.

- Will cum easily and from licking, fingering or fucking.

- Won't let on she came even if you ask her to announce it.

- Won't allow anal, usually.

- Will usually tell you that her first sexual experience was at a fairly late age, and usually with her first BF or husband.

- Often got pregnant from her first sex.

- Will tell you she never wanks and is disinterested in trying.

- May be disinterested in condom use, possibly even opposed (thanks, Catholic Church!

- Has never had an STI panel done and sees no need despite her previous, cheating boyfriend.

- Unless she's wealthy, will inevitably and regularly have a financial issue that (she thinks) requires your immediate involvement: school fees, driver's licence renewal, sick kids, broken phone, make-up ran out, taxi fare, etc.

- Despite being quite wild in bed, may be quite reluctant when it comes to sexting or receiving dick pics.

- More likely than others to rim you, and without warning!

- Wants to introduce you to her family soon!

- Will tell you she loves you after just a few dates.

- When she returns from the bathroom we tell you all the gory details of what she just did in there.

- Will often go online asking questions like "how to please a man" and then arrives in bed prepared to get you off!

Disagree? Comments? I want to hear from you. Please share your stories and photos here!

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]... same middle name as all her siblings.

...[/QUOTE]That's their mother's middle name.

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]Having dated (and shagged) a few Filipinas, I have compiled my list of characteristics that appear common to this rare and special species. In my experience, Pinay girls:

- Will usually have a strange name: e. G. A made-up name, two names merged together, a normal name but with the same first letter or same middle name as all her siblings.

[/QUOTE]The only smart thing I know of in the Philippines. First name is whatever they like. Middle name is the mother's last name. Last name is the father's last name. Simply brilliant to track one's family tree compared to the USA's way of any name, any name, father's last name.

If born without knowing who the father is then the last name is the mother's and there is no middle name.

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]- Will usually have a strange name: e. G. A made-up name, two names merged together, a normal name but with the same first letter or same middle name as all her siblings.[/QUOTE]The made-up name is her given name, such as Analynn or Maria. It might sound odd to outsiders. Besides Maria and Jenny, I've run into girls with boys names like Ross, Russ, and Mitch. Also Cherry, Candy, Langa (means to be loving), Love, Lovely, Girlie, and other words associated with sugar or candy. She will also have one or more nicknames, one given by her family, and others given by the girl herself. She will automatically mash-up her and her (current) boyfie's name. If Ana is dating Joseph, she might call herself AnJo, or SephAn, or such, and he might name one of her FB accounts as such. It changes with the name of the current boyfie. Both the boyfie and GF happily take this nickname while they are together.

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2964362]That's their mother's middle name.[/QUOTE]I believe it's the mother's maiden name. All of a Filipino's siblings usually have the same middle name. If the mother's maiden name was Ramirez before she got married to Mr. Alvarez, the kids willl be as such: James Ramirez Alvarez, Jennifer Ramirez Alvarez, Maria Ramirez Alvarez, Samuel Ramirez Alvarez, etc. This follows a similar spanish tradition seen in latin countries.

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]- Won't let on she came even if you ask her to announce it.[/QUOTE]Pinay are very shy, at least at first. That follows to her deepest personality. She might have had a dozen partners who made her cum, and never told any of them, even when asked to announce it. One girl I was with had a specific bold tell that she couldn't hide. Red spots started to appear on her chest and neck as she got turned on, and about 1 minute prior to orgasm her entire face turned red, and her forhead and temples area turned a violet or purple color. Then a vein popped out right down the middle of her forehead about 15 seconds before the big O, spasmed wildly, and dissipated as the O dissipated. When I inquired, she said something like: "Oh I hate it! So much obvious and I don't want anyone to know"!

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]- Will usually tell you that her first sexual experience was at a fairly late age, and usually with her first BF or husband.[/QUOTE]I find it the opposite: They tell me they were 12, or 14 or 15.

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]- Has never had an STI panel done and sees no need despite her previous, cheating boyfriend.[/QUOTE]Its not done in poor countries. Her doctor will tell you that its better if she reports any STI symptoms to simply dose her with an antibiotic and call it an STI, telling her it might be from pelvic bruising from rough sex (or such), or a tampon that was dirty. Saves face for both the girl, her cheating partner, her cheating self, and her doctor.

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]- Unless she's wealthy, will inevitably and regularly have a financial issue that (she thinks) requires your immediate involvement: school fees, driver's licence renewal, sick kids, broken phone, make-up ran out, taxi fare, etc.[/QUOTE]This is both the bane and the joy of dating pinay. These constant emergencies require YOUR small dollar contribution, meaning you will have multiple girls in constant need, and offering the poon at fairly discounted prices compared with poon prison. Even hotties have regularly recurring emergencies (not to mention families that simply take her recently acquired paycheck).

[QUOTE=TKOman;2964333]- Despite being quite wild in bed, may be quite reluctant when it comes to sexting or receiving dick pics.[/QUOTE]For a variety of reasons. Shyness being one of them. It being illegal in Phils might be another. Having a Filipina's naked pic (even in various stages of undress) on your device, or even her own device, is illegal. Additionally most pinay are simply not interested in pics of anyone's Johnson. However they have an affinity to taking selfies, both clothed and naked (so I've heard).