Manila

Copacabana, Next Door to Heritage, is just as close to EDSA complex and half the cost of Heritage (or less). Perfectly adequate, though get a higher floor to reduce noise. I believe it used to be owned by Pablo Cuneta, father of singer Sharon. If you simply must stay in a 5 star Hotel, consider the Westin which is only 5 minutes by taxi, and much quieter. Or Century Park next to Harrison Plaza (also only 5 minutes by taxi to EDSA complex).

Ralek if cost really is no issue, try the MacArthur Suite at the Manila Hotel. Loaded with old World charm (of which Makati has ZERO IMHO!)

I have only stayed in Makati once, and never understood why so many guys seem to prefer it (well I guess it reminds them more of US cities, but I travel to GET AWAY from things American!). HORRIBLE traffic almost always, and farther from the action (unless you frequent PBurgos, in which case the Century Citadel is an unbeatable location for a bargain price).

Thanks Surfer.

The Westin Hotel looks like a great deal compared to Diamond which is a good $30 more expensive overall.

I like the Westin. GREAT pool with waterslides, great views of the sunset over Manila Bay. SLIGHT drawback is that it is kind of isolated so you cannot just walk downstairs and be in a mall or what. You will need to take taxis even to get to a sarisari store. GREAT and happening restaurant with a nautical theme just before you to get to Roxas blvd (when heading to EDSA complex from Westrin) is a MUST SEE to meet nonpros (and have a good meal-hotel restaurants are obviously pricey) . Enjoy your trip.

I agree the Copacabana is alround the best hotel for the money but lacking a gym, much better than Heritage cus this is an apartment hotel, I usually get the 2 bedroom apt cus i like the space it provides. Westin has the best pool in Manila. I will stay at the Oakwood plaza which is the finest apartment hotel in the Philippines and also get the 2 bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc. with the best mall down stairs. 2nd best is the Century plaza a fine apartment hotel as well. Why stay in a 1 room hotel?

Oh crap.

Looks like the Westin Hotel is no longer there...Now that hotel is called the "Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel" or something like that.

[url]http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298573-d301802-Reviews-Sofitel_Hotel_Philippine_Plaza-Manila_National_Capital_Region_Luzon.html[/url]

I read a few reviews which pointed out the experience was really bad.

So when I look up reviews for the Westin Hotel, the reviews are great.

But when I look up reviews for the "Sofitel" Hotel, the reveiws are average to poor.

Can a change in staff/ownership really make a hotel that much worse?

Does anybody know where to get a HIV test in Manila, if so where, how much and how long does it take to get the results. I already know not to get tested personally here in the PI because they will report you to the govt. and good luck from there.

Thanks

Mook

[QUOTE=Ralek]Oh crap.

Looks like the Westin Hotel is no longer there...Now that hotel is called the "Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel" or something like that.

[url]http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298573-d301802-Reviews-Sofitel_Hotel_Philippine_Plaza-Manila_National_Capital_Region_Luzon.html[/url]

I read a few reviews which pointed out the experience was really bad.

So when I look up reviews for the Westin Hotel, the reviews are great.

But when I look up reviews for the "Sofitel" Hotel, the reveiws are average to poor.

Can a change in staff/ownership really make a hotel that much worse?[/QUOTE]Yes,They did a lot of changes in staffing,Food and Beverage and standards.You were warned

In room massage - 24hrs - anyone got any info?

I searched.

Is it a happy finish etc?

Thats a positive

Had an excellent very cheap massage then at the end I asked if she would massage everything

She said ok but secret and only hand

I said fine

She then proceeded to give me a very reasonable hand job

All in all a good service

Yes it is 24hr too

In fact I had her at 6am then back again 2hrs later

I tipped her $100 because I am rich and stupid and she was a nice girl

I gave her tickets to the concert I am doing here in manila and shes bringing 7 other filipina friends too (typical! They are not shy on a freebie! )

So could be some fun tonight in my room shame I'm leaving tomorrow to korea

Mook, I didn't know that they reported the test to the govt. Do they only report the tests that are positive or everybody. Or just the foreigners?

There was a poster a few months ago who said that his mo was to barfine two girls for a week; take them to the doctor and if the results were ok, then he could bareback them for a week. Can't remember his name but its in either one of the Manila sections or AC.

Just as an aside, if the girl has picked up HIV withing six months of the test, it won't show up on the test, but she can still infect. Thats what I understand to be the case.

You might want to start with the girls in the bar. They always tell me about the 'pussy doctor' upstars and how they have to get checked every two weeks or after being barfined. Maybe that doc can give you the name of someone.

Just to show that the barfine bars' system is not all its cracked up to be, a girl I barfined a few weeks ago in the Firehouse (EDSA) had been hired by the bar on a Thursday, tested, and allowed to work immediately, even though the results of her test would not be available until Monday!

On a broader note, I'm curious just how often any mongers pick up something in the Manila bars. Or at all? Its never mentioned here. Do the mongers just go home and lick their wounds? Or is it really that safe.

Don

[QUOTE=Dashing Don]Mook, I didn't know that they reported the test to the govt. Do they only report the tests that are positive or everybody. Or just the foreigners?

There was a poster a few months ago who said that his mo was to barfine two girls for a week; take them to the doctor and if the results were ok, then he could bareback them for a week. Can't remember his name but its in either one of the Manila sections or AC.

Just as an aside, if the girl has picked up HIV withing six months of the test, it won't show up on the test, but she can still infect. Thats what I understand to be the case.

You might want to start with the girls in the bar. They always tell me about the 'pussy doctor' upstars and how they have to get checked every two weeks or after being barfined. Maybe that doc can give you the name of someone.

Just to show that the barfine bars' system is not all its cracked up to be, a girl I barfined a few weeks ago in the Firehouse (EDSA) had been hired by the bar on a Thursday, tested, and allowed to work immediately, even though the results of her test would not be available until Monday!

On a broader note, I'm curious just how often any mongers pick up something in the Manila bars. Or at all? Its never mentioned here. Do the mongers just go home and lick their wounds? Or is it really that safe.

Don[/QUOTE]

Hi guys,
not sure if Jackson alow this, but I read ur questions again and again bout HIV etc.
My friend distribute those books and maybe it can bring a litle bit insight in all ur questions about things in PI and HIV, etc etc etc.

Hope that helps.

[url]http://www.book-of-dreams.com/books.htm[/url]

Park I, 100 US $ tip for a handjob, wow , I was thinking Im the stupid guy here , lol, but well, if it was gud, why not. Maybe u get more out of that handjob on ur private room party.

Happy hunting!!

Blink157

Actually, the test is not for a bar girl, I wouldn't trust the test anyway because of the 6 month rule. You know I've been trying to get my hands on the oral HIV test, it gives results in 20 minutes but it's only available to doctors, at least in the states. Maybe they sell it in the PI.

The test is for a girl I know from 2 years ago, I'm going to recommend her to a friend who wants to get married, he's filipino-american. Anyway, just to be on the safe side, I'm going to get her tested for HIV before introducing them.

Personally, I believe HIV is a bigger problem in the PI than most people think for a couple of reasons.

Filipinos don't use condoms much.
Oversea workers go abroad and come back home in droves.
The Catholic church says not to use them.

About the clinics reporting to the govt. I'm not sure about that but that's what I heard and just in case why risk it and give a real name.

If anybody got the test done in the PI, do you know how long the test takes them.

Heading out the PI next week.. see you all there. :)

Mook

Guys,

Is the EDSA complex area safe? I'm gonna be staying at the Copacaban by myself for a few nights before I meet up w/ a few friends, and was wondering if it was safe to walk around those streets at night.

[QUOTE=Ralek]Guys,

Is the EDSA complex area safe? I'm gonna be staying at the Copacaban by myself for a few nights before I meet up w/ a few friends, and was wondering if it was safe to walk around those streets at night.[/QUOTE]I thought it was very safe. Hyatt and Heritage hotels are next door.

There's really no place to walk near the Edsa complex. The bars themselves are all housed within one large building, so all of your walking between bars will be inside. The area is safe and your biggest concern outside will be fending off the hustlers trying to sell you counterfeit viagra and cialis, but there's no reason to walk around as it's all quite compact.

:D

GE