Other Areas

I go there actually. I have no issues since I am a local and I have my own security of armed personnel when I go around. I hope every foreigner that goes to Mindanao is as smart as you are but I very much doubt that. I know a lot about the corrupt authorities and they hit what they call the "nobody" and foreigners fall under the "nobodys" unless you have local ties. Foreigners are considered "nobody" because they couldn't exact the kind of retribution that powerful locals can. The poor are "nobodys". Imagine this, practically every local is related to a military personnel except for the foreigners. Arrogant foreigners are considered roadkill and not just a "nobody". The laws of the jungle still apply anywhere in the Philippines. Hey, it's not really a problem for me. I just want to state how I see things down there. For the adventurous, Mindanao is definitely the place.

MasterBlaster is right. Be cautious.

Embassy security officials are extremely aware of difficulties their citizens get into. It is interesting and quite scary to hear directly from them what the inside, often hidden, story is. Embassy travel advisories are not written for amusement and entertainment. Although embassies are under extreme pressure to lighten their advisories by the Philippine government, they are maintained with strong warnings. It is interesting that upon arrival of the new UK ambassador in the Philippines recently, he said his number one priority was to take care of the British citizens here.
Just because nothing has happened to you, does not mean all is fine. Although I have visited the Philippines countless times over decades, I never let my guard down. Bottom line is always be street wise and always make security your priority. This is particularly true if you look foreign.
After that, enjoy yourself!

If I can add my two cents here, if you ignore your country’s travel warning and go somewhere on the list and something happens to you. Even if you have adequate insurance, for say kidnapping, your company doesn’t have to pay out on you because they can turn around and say you ignored the travel warning to go to this particular place and therefore invalidated your policy with them. So your on your own.

MOALBOAL,

Has anyone been there over last few weeks? Just wanting to know how th action is at the moment, as I might be there at beginning of August. I've heard there's a few freelancers about at the Red Banana bar, etc.

Thanks

To Everyone Concerned about Security in Davao:

I have lived here now for the past 8 months, and have friends (expats) who have been living here for years. For the past two years, there have been no security-related issues here. Even during the recent elections, this place was totally calm and there were zero incidents. In fact, my company receives visitors from the US Embassy in Manila constantly and there is no restriction on Embassy personnel traveling here, which should tell you something about the safety of this place. Do not hesitate to come here for security reasons.

The isloated "hot spots" in Mindanao (where I also go for work-related reasons) are largely in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, in such locations as Basilan, Tawi Tawi, and occassionally Cotabato. Most of the time even these places are safe most of the time, but there's no reason at all for any of you to go anywhere near these ares.

I am much more apprehensive about my personal safety in Manila than here in Davao, where I ride around on my motorcycle at all hours of the day and night, and have never once felt threatened. I should also point out that various Western and Japanese aid agencies are pouring funds into Mindanao for various projects, and have placed no restrictions on the internal travel of personnel working on such projects. Finally, remember that the Mayor here in Davao is a genuine touch guy, and simply does not tolerate any violence in his city.

Lucifer 69 (I wonder if we know each other) is absolutely correct. All it takes to be secure here is to exercise a little common sense.

Hope this allays some of the fears of those thinking about coming here but are hesitant due to imaginary security concerns.

GE

Davao City is okay. Nobody wants to butt heads with the mayor of Davao City.

Hi guys
Anybody know of any action in Boracay? I will be going there with my GF. But if there is a chance to slip away I can check out local flavor there.
Thanks in advance
Amboy812

Has anyone been to Sabang lately? I was there about 1 year ago and there was some fine form on offer. Unfortunately I was with my lady so there was no playing around (in Angeles this is definitely not the case).

But we have now broken up so I'll be back to play next month. Thinking about hitting Sabang for 1 week followed by 1-2 weeks in heaven (Angeles).

Would appreciate some thoughts from anyone who has been to Sabang recently.

I will soon be visiting Manila and will be staying in the Alabang area. Can anyone let me know if thre is any kind of action in or around this area, as I will be spending most of my visit in the Alabang area.

Spent two weeks over at Butuan City meeting with several clients in the area. Didn't spend much time mongering since I had two lovelies to keep me busy at night. A couple of college students (one a second courser) whom I spent some time with before. Had a hard time leaving them as I headed over to Surigao City.

I was able to get my regular room at The Tavern (P850 per night) while doing attending some local summit at the city's convention center. Not much nightlife in this city especially after dark. Latest rave around here is the latest fastfood addition, Chow King. Like I said, not much. While I was at the I-cafe late one night (Ad-En on Borromeo St. is open 24 hours) I was able to strike a conversation with a cute girl surfing the dating sites. She was still in her college uniform, San Nicholas College.She asked the usual questions, where I'm from, what I'm doing in Surigao, do I have a girlfriend, where I'm staying?

Cut to the chase, I asked her to show me around. She said she could only do it after school and I said I didn't mind. Since last Wednesday, she has been in my company. Banged her the next day I met her. Anne, this young 20 year old has had some experience and didn't mind doing what I asked her. Just that she's a little quiet in bed. Basically after eating dinner around the city, we enjoy the live band that plays at The Tavern or join her for some karaoke (she does most of the singing) at several nearby restaurants like Frank Lloyds or Adriano's. Then get back to my room for some late night action.

I could easily find another girl but her company is enjoyable. She speaks fluent english and carries a conversation rather well. An avid NBA fan as well as the local PBA. With the almost daily rain this weekend, it was great just to cuddle in the strong aircondition after a heated fuck session. I'll be here until Tuesday until my ship for Cebu arrives. WG&A only comes twice a week here. Until then, Anne will keep me company. I guess she is hoping that I will always see her whenever I'm back in the city or be her steady boyfriend but I already crushed the latter notion. So far all this has cost me is P1,000 per day for her company.

Anybody gong to be in Sabang the next couple of weeks? I'm going there for some diving and haven't been there before. Any advice?

Thanks,

Raul

amboy812,

There is hardly any action on Boracay. When last there one or two hanging around the disco but I never got the chance to find out if they were any good. I had company which was hard to shake off no matter what I did. My company was like a wet fish my fault but I did not want to upset her. She gots a very big family and her uncle was a friend of mine at the time but no longer now.

The best bet is to bring a takeaway with you. Ask a couple of girls in the bars in Manila, Makati etc if they would like a holiday. Pick one. Explain the deal to her and get the Mamasan to give you a Price for the Barfine.

One other way is to get the girl not to turn up for work. If she does that she will get fined for non attendance or even lose her job so tread carefully down that route. You don't what the girl to be out of pocket or unemployed as jobs no matter what they are in PI are at a premium,

Good luck with your quest to find some company in or for Boracay.

Not a sex story but a News article on Palawan. Shows you always have to look out for those Filipinos that have been drinking-

4 Arrested For Killing, Eating Wedding Guest In Palawan

Updated 11:43am (Mla time) Aug 11, 2004
Agence France-Presse

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan, Philippines --
Filipino police have arrested four people for murdering a wedding guest, roasting and eating parts of the body and serving some of the remains at the reception, they said Wednesday.
Narra town police chief Senior Superintendent Perla Bacuel said they were looking into the possibility that some of the suspects may have been involved in other disappearances in the western island of Palawan since the 1980s.

Farm laborer Eladio Baule, his son Gerard Baule and nephews Sabtuary Pequi and Johnny Buyot allegedly killed the victim, Benjie Ganay, on July 17 after Ganay accidentally touched Eladio Baule's daughter's bottom during her wedding party, Bacuel said.

The four suspects, who were drunk at the time, then set fire to Ganay's body and Bacuel said the aroma of roasting flesh may have tempted the group to eat parts of the burnt body.

The father and son then allegedly served some of the roasted flesh to other drinkers at the wedding party.

The crime was only discovered about eight days later, after the two nephews confessed to the police who originally found their accounts too shocking to believe.

The nephews insist that they did not take part in the murder but were only forced to eat parts of the body.

Bacuel said this was the first time she ever heard of such a bizarre crime in this area, adding they were looking into the possibility that Eladio Baule may have been a member of one of the rural cults that are known for chopping up their enemies.

Hi Brothers,

I am going to La Union in a few weeks times. Anyone can recommend any fun or good foods there. Would appreciated for good informations.

Thank you all.

Malboy

Anyone know if there is any action in Baguio these days?

FS