General Info

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2522634]Has any monger been to Iligan City in northern Mindanao? It's 30 km north of Marawi, which is home to ISIL and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups. There is no airport at Iligan. Closest airport is at CDO, then you need to get a taxi and drive the coastal route westward to Iligan, about 1 hour away.

The reason I ask is that that there's a nice looking chick in Iligan who wants to marry me. Pretty face, slim body, charming personality and actually has a job! Just wondering if it's worth the risk getting kidnapped by Muslim terrorists just to tap that cute ass?

I could ask her to come to CDO which might be safer for me and has much better hotels, but it seems I need to pass the dreaded Tita interview first.[/QUOTE]If you are willing to be chopped at the neck and below the waist for a root with this LBFM, she must be quite a looker. Please post her glamour shots so that more prudent men can admire her assets from a safe distance.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2522634]Has any monger been to Iligan City in northern Mindanao? It's 30 km north of Marawi, which is home to ISIL and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups. There is no airport at Iligan. Closest airport is at CDO, then you need to get a taxi and drive the coastal route westward to Iligan, about 1 hour away.

The reason I ask is that that there's a nice looking chick in Iligan who wants to marry me. Pretty face, slim body, charming personality and actually has a job! Just wondering if it's worth the risk getting kidnapped by Muslim terrorists just to tap that cute ass?

I could ask her to come to CDO which might be safer for me and has much better hotels, but it seems I need to pass the dreaded Tita interview first.[/QUOTE]Ignoring the Covid considerations. You could do yourself a favour and fly tita and the girl to Cebu. You continue to enjoy your time in Cebu chasing LBFM and enjoying life, while they can catch buses, jeepneys, missed connection, un-aircon shit airport terminals, crap airline service, hourly health questionnaires probes etc etc If you do get a message that they actually arrive at Mactan, you have 1-2 hours while they get from airport to city. You change from your monger hotel to your alternate hotel.

For $200 you save yourself 2-3 days of pain.

The good news is by the time you do get to travel to Ph, you will be finished with her.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2522634]I could ask her to come to CDO which might be safer for me and has much better hotels, but it seems I need to pass the dreaded Tita interview first.[/QUOTE]Spend the extra 300 and bring tita (and girlie) to CDO for a holiday. Have lunch then put her on the afternoon bus back home.

I'd agree that there are numerous smoking hot girls west of the Do Not Go line but at what price?

Of course, Roger is correct: it's an academic discussion until you can get into the country let alone her panties.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2523014]Spend the extra 300 and bring tita (and girlie) to CDO for a holiday. Have lunch then put her on the afternoon bus back home.

I'd agree that there are numerous smoking hot girls west of the Do Not Go line but at what price?

Of course, Roger is correct: it's an academic discussion until you can get into the country let alone her panties.

Enjoy. G.[/QUOTE]Yes, I did think about that. I could get her Tita and sister to come with her to CDO to interview me. I will take the trio out for a nice seafood lunch at the Limketkai hotel. Tita would pack the left-overs into a take-out box. I would give them a box of chocolates from my country. Tita and sister would say what a kind and generous man I am. Fully satisfied, they would then fuck off back to Iligan on the bus at 3. 00 pm, leaving me alone with the girl for the next three days! No need to get my head chopped off by the Muslims. As WR has pointed out, it's all rather academic at the moment as no monger is travelling anywhere for the foreseeable future. Thanks also to CM for his unique perspective on things.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2523033]Yes, I did think about that. I could get her Tita and sister to come with her to CDO to interview me. I will take the trio out for a nice seafood lunch at the Limketkai hotel. Tita would pack the left-overs into a take-out box. I would give them a box of chocolates from my country. Tita and sister would say what a kind and generous man I am. Fully satisfied, they would then fuck off back to Iligan on the bus at 3. 00 pm, leaving me alone with the girl for the next three days! No need to get my head chopped off by the Muslims. As WR has pointed out, it's all rather academic at the moment as no monger is travelling anywhere for the foreseeable future. Thanks also to CM for his unique perspective on things.[/QUOTE]Even if you go to CDO airport, the actual city of CDO is 1 HR away. Total pain in the ass. New airport built way to far away. In any case, I would definitely recommend bringing her to you. Another point is it is very safe up there. The main terrorist areas are not up north of Mindanao, but rather in the south and SW. I was in CDO in Feb. 2020 and felt super safe.

[QUOTE=Free2;2523130]Even if you go to CDO airport, the actual city of CDO is 1 HR away. Total pain in the ass. New airport built way to far away. In any case, I would definitely recommend bringing her to you. Another point is it is very safe up there. The main terrorist areas are not up north of Mindanao, but rather in the south and SW. I was in CDO in Feb. 2020 and felt super safe.[/QUOTE]Terrorism happens randomly. If you happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time then you are the victim. Cannot be avoided even in big western cities.

In Philippines not all western men get kidnapped even in terrorism prone areas. For them it takes a long time to plan, target, scout, carry out the operation. For a casual visitor threat is very low.

If someone is scared of going next best thing is to bring the girl to where you are. I have brought many mindanao girls to Manila and Cebu. This has to be planned carefully. Need some work. Even then things can fall apart. Since flight tickets are cheap it is no big loss if the girl fails to show up.

Since the early poster seems to be serious about marriage and the girl and her family needs to meet him I would say he should make the trip. Usually girls family will protect him. But if he is going for fun only it is a problem. There is no need to meet family.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2522634]Has any monger been to Iligan City in northern Mindanao? It's 30 km north of Marawi, which is home to ISIL and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups. There is no airport at Iligan. Closest airport is at CDO, then you need to get a taxi and drive the coastal route westward to Iligan, about 1 hour away.

The reason I ask is that that there's a nice looking chick in Iligan who wants to marry me. Pretty face, slim body, charming personality and actually has a job! Just wondering if it's worth the risk getting kidnapped by Muslim terrorists just to tap that cute ass?

I could ask her to come to CDO which might be safer for me and has much better hotels, but it seems I need to pass the dreaded Tita interview first.[/QUOTE]Yes, I've been there several times. The city is not generally considered very dangerous, though it doesn't offer much in the way of Western amenities. Most of the potential danger lies a big further West toward Marawi City. I'the have no qualms about going there again, but the other posters are, I think, correct: bring the girl to CDO which has much more to offer the average Westerner than does Iligan. It's not a long bus trip. I recommend not listening to fear mongers who in general have no idea what they're talking about.

GE.

[QUOTE=Free2;2523130]Another point is it is very safe up there. The main terrorist areas are not up north of Mindanao, but rather in the south and SW. I was in CDO in Feb. 2020 and felt super safe.[/QUOTE]I agree with everything that has been said here. However, it's strange that CDO is the only place I've had where a girl who lives there warned me about safety in town and wandering around at night. She was perfectly fine with my comments about walking around town at all hours elsewhere but said it wasnt a good idea in CDO. Maybe a ploy to retain her as a guide / bodyguard? Who knows? But it's the only town where my penchant for walking everywhere raised concern.

Enjoy. G.

Daily Tribune.

The Philippine gov't sets conditions for entry of foreign nationals amid the new Covid variant. Starting Feb. 1, arriving foreign nationals should have valid and existing visas at the time of entry, except for those qualified under the Balikbayan program. These foreign nationals should also have pre-booked accommodation for at least 7 nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility. They shall also undergo Covid-19 testing at the quarantine hotel or facility on the 6th day from the date of their arrival. The Bureau of Immigration has been directed to formulate the necessary guidelines in this regard.

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/tribunephl/posts/2793856957492662[/URL]

ABS-CBN News.

Posted at Feb 01 2021 08:19 AM.

MANILA. Foreign tourists remain prohibited from entering the Philippines, an official said Monday as the country lifted its travel restrictions on nations with reported cases of more contagious variants of COVID-19.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo: "I would like to clarify, the country's not open to toruists. It does not mean tourists can enter, only those who have valid and existing visa like investor's visa, foreign spouses, children and others included in the Bureau of Immigration order. ".

Travelers are required to undergo coronavirus testing after 5 days of quarantine or on the 6th day after their arrival, Nograles said.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/01/21/foreign-tourists-still-barred-from-entering-ph-official[/URL]

[URL]https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/petricic-brazil-covid-manaus-1.5891108?fbclid=IwAR23nKsiB7PI_ue7PTZ58tyFUHxS0Em0OrmtcekrhRITRzmjEZ8cXJD-n2o[/URL]

Here is a Canadian article about Covid19 in Brazil, which has no 2 spot globally after the USA. It is one of the first articles I have seen that has linked Covid19 and poverty, which is usually a highway for diseases, plagues and pestilences.

I expect Covid19 to follow the HIV trajectory and cut a swathe through the world's poor who have no defenses. We still haven't learned why Iran, which has a relatively young population, was hit so hard early on.

What we do know is the Philippines and countries like it are going to get crucified. However, to the dirt poor, HIV and Covid19 are just one more inconvenience.

The Davos crowd are meeting now to reschedule the world and "protect the environment" through carbon taxes. The party is over. Goodbye, Philippines, I shall not return.

Sleeping beauty beside me; she doesn't rise until around 9 am. So I jump in a tryke a few days ago, 8 am, heading to a coffee shop across town to get us each a coffee. I am the only passenger in the tryke. Halfway into our 10-minute ride, the driver pulls over and two more passengers get into the tryke: A handsome young couple, age 20-ish. She is a real beauty: great figure, booby, nice clothes, great face, big eyes and smile. She's all smiles, and flirty with the young man. Her face mask is down under her chin. She yaps, smiles, yaps, and smiles. She gushes. I am liking their interaction perhaps more than the young fella. I've fallen in lust quickly: What does she look like naked and bent over!?

Always grateful for small pleasures, an additional pleasure: A few minutes later the driver pulls over and another young lass boards our ship to paradise. Same age, a tall hottie. The two ladies sit directly across from me, my knees an inch from the new gal's knees. She is quiet, po-girl clothes, pretending to look at everything but the rest of us in the carriage. I am wanting badly for her to pull down that mask for a minute so I can peek. But no. Wait. Maybe better for my imagination to run wild if she doesn't. What does THIS one look like naked and bent over (both with and without the mask)? Then: What would they look like together, naked, in my bed? What, is it my birthday?

Guess we will never know. While I was contemplating their beauty with my rising manhood, our tryke pulled in at its destination. We all stepped out. The couple got into another tryke. The tall hottie stepped into a third tryke. Me and my imagination/boner then walked/limped over to the coffee shop and enjoyed a cup of brew, contemplated rogering both of them, and grabbed another cup to take back to sleeping beauty.

A slice of paradise. Never know what you're going to get. Thanks Forrest!

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2530910]Sleeping beauty beside me; she doesn't rise until around 9 am. So I jump in a tryke a few days ago, 8 am, heading to a coffee shop across town to get us each a coffee. I am the only passenger in the tryke. Halfway into our 10-minute ride, the driver pulls over and two more passengers get into the tryke: A handsome young couple, age 20-ish. She is a real beauty: great figure, booby, nice clothes, great face, big eyes and smile. She's all smiles, and flirty with the young man. Her face mask is down under her chin. She yaps, smiles, yaps, and smiles. She gushes. I am liking their interaction perhaps more than the young fella. I've fallen in lust quickly: What does she look like naked and bent over!?

Always grateful for small pleasures, an additional pleasure: A few minutes later the driver pulls over and another young lass boards our ship to paradise. Same age, a tall hottie. The two ladies sit directly across from me, my knees an inch from the new gal's knees. She is quiet, po-girl clothes, pretending to look at everything but the rest of us in the carriage. I am wanting badly for her to pull down that mask for a minute so I can peek. But no. Wait. Maybe better for my imagination to run wild if she doesn't. What does THIS one look like naked and bent over (both with and without the mask)? Then: What would they look like together, naked, in my bed? What, is it my birthday?.[/QUOTE]Geez I hope this was a jeepney and not a trike, Westie.

I went into kayak, a web scraping service, to see how prices for flights to LBFM land are going. They are still to high. However, the message below popped up. Why are Indians being allowed in? And Chinese dumb enough to marry a Pinay?

Entry restrictions.

The Philippines' borders are open only to returning Filipino nationals and their spouses and children, nationals of India with a Temporary Resident Visa, nationals of China with a Permanent Resident Visa who is spouse of a national of the Philippine, foreign nationals with certain category of visa.

Through January 15, travelers arriving from the following countries will not be allowed to enter the Philippines: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, US and the UK. Non-Philippine citizens transiting through any of the countries covered by the ban while en route to the Philippines should be allowed to enter the Philippines, provided that they can demonstrate that they did not depart the transit airport in the listed country, and that they were not granted entry by the immigration authorities of the listed country.

Starting December 7, the following may be allowed entry privileges to the Philippines under the Republic Act No. 6768: Filipino citizens' foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen and former Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen.

Entry requirements.

Foreign nationals wishing to enter the Philippines must hold a visa under the following categories, otherwise they risk being turned away at the port of entry:

-a non-immigrant visa issued under Section 13 of the Immigration act (Section 13 series visa: / a, b, c, d, e, g).

-those who acquired resident status under Republic Act 7919 or Alien Social Integration Act (RA 7919 visa);.

-those who availed of Executive Order 324 or Alien Legalization Program (EO 324 visa).

-native-born foreign nationals (Native-born visa).

Starting December 7, Filipino citizens' foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen and former Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen are allowed visa-free entry under Executive Order No. 408, s. 1960. They must have a pre-booked quarantine facility and COVID-19 testing at a laboratory operating at the airport.

Quarantine requirements.

All arriving travelers and airline crew must present a completed Case Investigation Form upon arrival. They will be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and placed in quarantine at their own expense, while awaiting the results of the test.

All other info.

Travelers arriving to Davao must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) test result issued within 72 hours before departure.

[QUOTE=DCups;2531097]Geez I hope this was a jeepney and not a trike, Westie.[/QUOTE]Why a jeep, not a tryke?

[QUOTE=ChochaMonger;2522907]If you are willing to be chopped at the neck and below the waist for a root with this LBFM, she must be quite a looker. Please post her glamour shots so that more prudent men can admire her assets from a safe distance.[/QUOTE]I was there years ago, spoke at a University Conference in Illigan and actually overnighted in Marawi and spent some time on the Military Base there. I did have 4 body guards: a Colonel, Sargent and 2 Privates and was told by allllll not to go there alone.

During the trip the local bad guys murdered one of the Soldiers in a drive by, something they do, 2 guys on a dirt bike, they shoot the soldier to try to get the M16.

Interesting times!

PP.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2531219]Why a jeep, not a tryke?[/QUOTE]The number of passengers they can hold.

There are special trikes that have space at the back that can hold multiple passengers.

Similar to the one here [URL]https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/10/national/firm-seeks-to-market-e-trikes-in-philippines/[/URL].

[QUOTE=Johnie;2531288]The number of passengers they can hold.[/QUOTE]Curious DC's thoughts on this.

Everyone needs their computers worked on. Also, one way to be able to buy land or start business. Long History of Chinese merchants.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2531218]I went into kayak, a web scraping service, to see how prices for flights to LBFM land are going. They are still to high. However, the message below popped up. Why are Indians being allowed in? And Chinese dumb enough to marry a Pinay?.[/QUOTE]

Spoken to me by a drunk pinay recently: "The more drunker I'm get, the more f*cker I'm get. Yes it is".

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2531532]Spoken to me by a drunk pinay recently: "The more drunker I'm get, the more f*cker I'm get. Yes it is".[/QUOTE]I love those seductive words whispered in to my ears!

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2531560]I love those seductive words whispered in to my ears![/QUOTE]Bless her drunken heart. We were listening to a live band, with those social-distance seats, with small tables for couples (1 or 2 persons) only. As the band was finishing a song she turned and said it to me loudly over the music, matter-of-factly, then she turned her head back to the band. 2 seconds later the song ended sharply. Thank goodness she didn't wait a few more seconds to yell that out loud.

And: "Yes it is". Bwahahaha WTF!

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2531320]Curious DC's thoughts on this.[/QUOTE]OK, new one on me. I don't think I've seen the bigger ones but then again I haven't been there in 16 months. Trikes or jeepneys: I don't like any of them. Too small, noisy, dirty etc. Sometimes they are necessary. Cheers, Westie.

And in other news, its p48 to the USD here.

Hi guys,

I've been away for a long time.

So those of you that are updated, how are the prices nowadays in phili?

With that I mean food, drinks, hotels and ladies.

[QUOTE=DevCoder;2536049]Hi guys,

I've been away for a long time.

So those of you that are updated, how are the prices nowadays in phili?

With that I mean food, drinks, hotels and ladies.[/QUOTE

Same. Still payable in Philippines Pesos. Possibly in the near future Chinese Yuan will be accepted.

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone here has experience or knowledge regarding renting some high end homes. Homes that are 300 sq m plus with pools types.

I am looking to rent one, the prices seem all over the map.

They are always looking for significant deposits some even 8 months which is ridiculous.

Are these places negotiable?

Any advice or pitfalls to worry about.

I have seen homes renting for 300 K a month who can afford these in the Philippines?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

PP.

[QUOTE=Pinaypounder;2536223]Hi,

I am wondering if anyone here has experience or knowledge regarding renting some high end homes. Homes that are 300 sq m plus with pools types.

I am looking to rent one, the prices seem all over the map.

They are always looking for significant deposits some even 8 months which is ridiculous.

Are these places negotiable?

Any advice or pitfalls to worry about.

I have seen homes renting for 300 K a month who can afford these in the Philippines?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

PP.[/QUOTE]What's sort of timeframe are you looking for?

Most longer high-end leases in expat gettos would strongly prefer a direct company lessee rather than an individual. That may be why you are being quoted 8 months upfront. This would be especially so if you are still outside the country.

300 k would typically be paid by a housing allowance and not out of someone's pocket. Hence the high price.

Everything is negotiable but it's not uncommon to see places like this sit empty for a long time just waiting for the right sucker / expense account to come along. For the right tenant some owners will do a lot of modifications. I've seen pools added, walls moved, gardens installed etc.

Do your normal due diligence. Lease from the owner and not the gardener's well dressed brother. Some of these areas can be new developments or older areas that are being refreshed. You don't want to be next to a building site for the next two years. Never lease off the plan or from photos. A physical inspection is a must do.

Good luck.

[QUOTE=Pinaypounder;2536223]

I have seen homes renting for 300 K a month who can afford these in the Philippines?

Any input would be appreciated.
[/QUOTE]You would also do well to investigate what your rent payments are going to be covering. The high-end gated community leases I have been involved with in Pampanga the renter is responsible for maintenance and repairs. That includes the aircon that breaks down after one month and the hot water tank that shit itself after 3 months.

Like all contracts in Ph, it is a one way system. You are expected to pay and very little can be expected in return. The people owning the properties are going to be elites.

[QUOTE=DevCoder;2536049]Hi guys,

I've been away for a long time.

So those of you that are updated, how are the prices nowadays in phili?

With that I mean food, drinks, hotels and ladies.[/QUOTE]Prices for food and drinks will be less than your western country.

Hotels are cheaper than the west.

Ladies are still more fun and love fucking harder than the western girls your age.

So, nothing has changed.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2536358]Prices for food and drinks will be less than your western country.

Hotels are cheaper than the west.

Ladies are still more fun and love fucking harder than the western girls your age.

So, nothing has changed.[/QUOTE]LOL xD the perfect answer.

As previously mentioned, high condo prices. See pic, Malate, Birch Tower area (a block south of Robinson's Mall). Pre-covid typical prices for a studio were $500-$750 USD per month. Look now, typical is $1000-$1300. Screen shot from monthly stay check airbb. Initial prices show even higher. Example, a monthly cost since Covid might show a ridiculous $2000, with a '40% monthly discount', for an unusually high $1200. Some of the units listed on the first page have not been rented for even a night or two in many months. Worse, some Manila units now require a multi-months stay requirement (basically, a lease) at these prices.

IMFITP!

On vaccinations in Phils:

[URL]https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/03/14/philippines-govt-relentless-in-acquiring-covid-19-vaccines-says-top-official[/URL]

From the article, dated today:

[I]"To date, the Philippines has acquired 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac Biotech as a donation from the Chinese government. Another one million doses is expected to arrive on March 21.

The Philippines also got 525,600 doses from British-Swede drugmaker AstraZeneca. The first shipmentconsisting of 487,400 doses, arrived on March 4, while the remaining 38,400 doses arrived on March 7. ".[/I]

From the same article, regarding rollout:

[I]"Rest assured that the Duterte administration has been relentless in acquiring these vaccines to ensure that the country will have a fair share of the doses," Galvez said in a statement.

He also addressed the perceived slow vaccination rollout, saying that the current supply is reserved for medical frontliners. "The inoculation of medical workers must be carried out in a deliberate manner. Considering the crucial task they perform, their vaccination must be done in batches in light of possible adverse effects and the impact on the manning requirements of health facilities," he said. "When all our medical frontliners and health care workers are inoculated and our country already has sufficient vaccine supplies, we shall significantly pick up the pace of our vaccination program," he said.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2540294]As previously mentioned, high condo prices. See pic, Malate, Birch Tower area (a block south of Robinson's Mall). Pre-covid typical prices for a studio were $500-$750 USD per month. Look now, typical is $1000-$1300. Screen shot from monthly stay check airbb. Initial prices show even higher. Example, a monthly cost since Covid might show a ridiculous $2000, with a '40% monthly discount', for an unusually high $1200. Some of the units listed on the first page have not been rented for even a night or two in many months. Worse, some Manila units now require a multi-months stay requirement (basically, a lease) at these prices.

IMFITP![/QUOTE]Am not surprised Westie.

In Cebu they increase condo prices every 6 months. When I asked why (as no buyers) they said it was 'policy'. I tried to explain supply demand and pricing but fell on deaf ears. Greed in some respects makes the condo owners think they can get higher prices.

I prefer to offer just below market rate and get the condo full / occupied all year. But some can't understand the logic.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2540294]As previously mentioned, high condo prices. See pic, Malate, Birch Tower area (a block south of Robinson's Mall). Pre-covid typical prices for a studio were $500-$750 USD per month. Look now, typical is $1000-$1300. Screen shot from monthly stay check airbb. Initial prices show even higher. Example, a monthly cost since Covid might show a ridiculous $2000, with a '40% monthly discount', for an unusually high $1200. Some of the units listed on the first page have not been rented for even a night or two in many months. Worse, some Manila units now require a multi-months stay requirement (basically, a lease) at these prices.

IMFITP![/QUOTE]Any idea what the logic behind these absurdly high rental prices are? I imagine it probably goes something like, I haven't made any money on this condo for months! I have to double the rent to make up for it! With no consideration as to what demand levels might be.

[QUOTE=Kazeu;2540317]Any idea what the logic behind these absurdly high rental prices are? I imagine it probably goes something like, I haven't made any money on this condo for months! I have to double the rent to make up for it! With no consideration as to what demand levels might be.[/QUOTE]Probably has more to do with the fact you are not as smart as you think, I would suggest this idea. Sure low general demand, but the people who are in need of such accommodation, IE foreign business people, westerners stuck there, westerners who are so horny that they arrived in spite of covid, they will have to pay such prices or the alternative is sleep in the street. These guys more than likely have the condo fully paid, so no big deal if its empty. Best analogy is that if you are hungry, you will work for the cost of a meal, if you are a millionaire, you won't get out of bed unless it was for big money. The millionaire knows that anyone that approaches him know that, is in desperate need of his skill set, so why work for pennies.

[QUOTE=Kazeu;2540317]Any idea what the logic behind these absurdly high rental prices are? I imagine it probably goes something like, I haven't made any money on this condo for months! I have to double the rent to make up for it! With no consideration as to what demand levels might be.[/QUOTE]We have discussed the logic of this in the past. Not just with accommodations, but for other items where the price is increased when the economy is depressed. East-meets-West logic.

Just wondering if American stimulus payouts ranging $1400-2000 is either obscure unknown info or common knowledge among the WGs, and if I need to be ready to fend off conveniently timed sob stories pleas on WhatsApp crawling out of the Pinay bushes

[QUOTE=CenTexCrash;2540561]Just wondering if American stimulus payouts ranging $1400-2000 is either obscure unknown info or common knowledge among the WGs, and if I need to be ready to fend off conveniently timed sob stories pleas on WhatsApp crawling out of the Pinay bushes[/QUOTE]Just tell them you make too much money to get the stimulus check!

Seriously I doubt they are aware of it. Even if they hear about it they won't be able to comprehend it. Nothing to compare it to in the Philippines.

[QUOTE=CenTexCrash;2540561]Just wondering if American stimulus payouts ranging $1400-2000 is either obscure unknown info or common knowledge among the WGs, and if I need to be ready to fend off conveniently timed sob stories pleas on WhatsApp crawling out of the Pinay bushes[/QUOTE]What does a stimulus check have to do with them asking for money? Are they not aware that you already get money every so often from working or retirement? What do you plan on telling them that is different whether they know about the money or not? Just learn to say no. You do not need any excuses. Funny how guys can come here and say they spend their money how they want, but are afraid to say the same thing to a chick.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2540652]What does a stimulus check have to do with them asking for money? Are they not aware that you already get money every so often from working or retirement? What do you plan on telling them that is different whether they know about the money or not? Just learn to say no. You do not need any excuses. Funny how guys can come here and say they spend their money how they want, but are afraid to say the same thing to a chick.[/QUOTE]Style 1.

ISG mongerer: Hi baby how much?

FL: 4000 peso baby, St ok.

I'm: ok baby.

FL: For 6000 I love you long time I suck you cock like its never been sucked in your life.

I'm Ok baby.

Both go back to his hotel and both have a good time, later few hours I'm is sitting at a bar having a few drinks with his mates and he recounts his adventures and he ends it with this statement " This is why I love the Philippines, the girls treat me like a KING, I'm such a playa, that by tipping her a mere 1000 p, I ensure good service. I'm the pimp as its my money and I spend it how I want to get the kingly treatment. How he doesn't like to bargain hard as it spoils the service.

Style 2.

Mr E: hey baby, you come back to my hotel baby ok?

FL: How much you give me?

Mr E Same as always baby 1500ST.

FL Ok papi?

Both goes back to the hotel, both get down to doing the nasty.

Mr E: hew you call that a BJ? Baby that wasnt even 20 mins, you doing such a good job why stop?

FL, OK papi hihihi.

Few hours later Mr E is sitting at the bar, recounting his stpry asked how much he paid he said 1500, asked if he bargains he said nope, he got a decent BBBJ DATY, multiple positions and cheerful girl who is happy and left satisfied.

In my post we can see how much a a pimp / playa Style 1 is over style 2. Style 2 should be ashamed of himself, beinh so cold hearted and not giving the girl more or tipping her for her hard work.

[QUOTE=MutantChicken;2540673]Style 1.

ISG mongerer: Hi baby how much?

FL: 4000 peso baby, St ok.

I'm: ok baby.

FL: For 6000 I love you long time I suck you cock like its never been sucked in your life.

I'm Ok baby.

Both go back to his hotel and both have a good time, later few hours I'm is sitting at a bar having a few drinks with his mates and he recounts his adventures and he ends it with this statement " This is why I love the Philippines, the girls treat me like a KING, I'm such a playa, that by tipping her a mere 1000 p, I ensure good service. I'm the pimp as its my money and I spend it how I want to get the kingly treatment. How he doesn't like to bargain hard as it spoils the service.

Style 2.

Mr E: hey baby, you come back to my hotel baby ok?

FL: How much you give me?

Mr E Same as always baby 1500ST.

FL Ok papi?

Both goes back to the hotel, both get down to doing the nasty.

Mr E: hew you call that a BJ? Baby that wasnt even 20 mins, you doing such a good job why stop?

FL, OK papi hihihi.

Few hours later Mr E is sitting at the bar, recounting his stpry asked how much he paid he said 1500, asked if he bargains he said nope, he got a decent BBBJ DATY, multiple positions and cheerful girl who is happy and left satisfied.

In my post we can see how much a a pimp / playa Style 1 is over style 2. Style 2 should be ashamed of himself, beinh so cold hearted and not giving the girl more or tipping her for her hard work.[/QUOTE]Tale of me. Who gives a shit? Not me.

Seems the Philippines has found something to export in a new Covid 19 strain. Enjoy.

[URL]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9368755/ANOTHER-Covid-variant-Philippines-spotted-two-people-England.html[/URL]

Since I haven't been able to get to Phil due to Covid, I have spent a little more time little at the various dating sites dreaming of my triumphant return. My perfect Pinay is 5' and under, slim, and long straight black hair. That would be my go to for the first few days at least. After that, willing and needing to add some variety. In my observation, I am seeing more seemingly short girls, and the younger ones with more curves. I am seeing many more on these sites that I have seen before. Some of these, at least in the pics, have filled out in a good way, curvy, bigger breasts, etc.

Maybe the pandemic has made more of them even lazier and they're eating more? I don't know. Is any one else noticing this, especially those on the ground?

[QUOTE=George03;2541365]Since I haven't been able to get to Phil due to Covid, I have spent a little more time little at the various dating sites dreaming of my triumphant return. My perfect Pinay is 5' and under, slim, and long straight black hair. That would be my go to for the first few days at least. After that, willing and needing to add some variety. In my observation, I am seeing more seemingly short girls, and the younger ones with more curves. I am seeing many more on these sites that I have seen before. Some of these, at least in the pics, have filled out in a good way, curvy, bigger breasts, etc.

Maybe the pandemic has made more of them even lazier and they're eating more? I don't know. Is any one else noticing this, especially those on the ground?[/QUOTE]More likely from being locked down and no where to go. No more walking around and stuck in the small house. Probably a more rice diet and less meat and veggies.

I am finding a new crop of 18-19 year olds!

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2541386]More likely from being locked down and no where to go. No more walking around and stuck in the small house. Probably a more rice diet and less meat and veggies.

I am finding a new crop of 18-19 year olds![/QUOTE]Pinas have been gaining a pound or two per year for the last decade. However, yes the lockdown has: increased access to mom's cooking as girls moved back home; limited walking around with friends and other sporting activities and driven previously employed and well nourished girls to the apps as they lost their jobs etc.

If the OP is looking for 80 lb spinners, best to look at the provinces and stay away from Cebu and Manila. This is especially so if he wants them toned and not just malnourished. Access to 00's of JollieBees is not good.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=George03;2541365]Since I haven't been able to get to Phil due to Covid,[/QUOTE]Speaking of Covid:

[I]United States Embassy Manila, Philippines
United States Consular Agency Cebu, Philippines
March 17, 2021
Health Alert: Temporary Ban on Entry into the Philippines and New Restrictions

[B]The Philippine government has suspended the entry of all foreign nationals and returning Philippine citizens who are not Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), effective March 20, 2021, through April 19, 2021. The number of inbound international passengers will be further limited to 1,500 per day. For information on exemptions to the suspension, see our COVID-19 page.[/B]

Separately, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is introducing new movement limitations in the National Capital Region for minors up to 17 years of age, effective March 17-31. Restrictions may vary by local government unit within the NCR. See the MMDA website for more information.[/I]

[QUOTE=MutantChicken;2540673]Style 1.

ISG mongerer: Hi baby how much?

FL: 4000 peso baby, St ok.

I'm: ok baby.

FL: For 6000 I love you long time I suck you cock like its never been sucked in your life.

I'm Ok baby.

Both go back to his hotel and both have a good time, later few hours I'm is sitting at a bar having a few drinks with his mates and he recounts his adventures and he ends it with this statement " This is why I love the Philippines, the girls treat me like a KING, I'm such a playa, that by tipping her a mere 1000 p, I ensure good service. I'm the pimp as its my money and I spend it how I want to get the kingly treatment. How he doesn't like to bargain hard as it spoils the service..[/QUOTE]I read stuff like this usual don't even bother to respond, people are what they are. You are from the western world and have had a million more opportunities' and money than most of these people. 1500 vs 4000 what is that to you? I mean really what is that 50 bucks, which means nothing to you but the world to them. So cheating a 3rd world girl with probably a 8th grade education out of a few bucks makes you feel like "The Art of the Deal" World is full of heartless people I guess.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2541582]I read stuff like this usual don't even bother to respond, people are what they are. You are from the western world and have had a million more opportunities' and money than most of these people. 1500 vs 4000 what is that to you? I mean really what is that 50 bucks, which means nothing to you but the world to them. So cheating a 3rd world girl with probably a 8th grade education out of a few bucks makes you feel like "The Art of the Deal" World is full of heartless people I guess.[/QUOTE]This is the thing I elucidated to on the other thread. I said earlier that these girls survived before they met me, they were happily fucking their boyfriends for FREE, they were fucking happily locals for 500 p, as someone else mentioned they could be happily fucking the local divemaster for 500 p when bills were due, and yet if I pay them 1500, which BTW is higher than any of the previously mentioned prices, I'm cheating them. Shit they must like being cheated as they still WhatsApp me asking me where I am, after I have long gone. What does it matter how much money I have and how little it is to me, if she is happy, I'm happy so why are you UNHAPPY. Some of the members are accusing "cheap charlies" like me getting triggered when others overpay, saying how its because I'm financially emasculated hence I get all concerned when others are paying more. Seems to me you are the one getting all concerned I'm paying less. Maybe you should look to any inadequacies you have thus you are being charged a surcharge, or for reasons you feel you have to pay more.

I come from a world where many girls are happy to be with me free, some may even have sex for me for free, but I know as you put it these are 3rd world ladies with a 8th grade education and they need money to eat, that's why I pay what is a fair compensation in my mind, based on what locals would pay and based on local wages for unskilled work.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2541582]You are from the western world and have had a million more opportunities' and money than most of these people. 1500 vs 4000 what is that to you? I mean really what is that 50 bucks, which means nothing to you but the world to them.[/QUOTE]Speak for yourself sir. $50 means a fucking lot to me. So if you gave a $100 bill for a $2 item at a newsstand and received $48 change, then your attitude would be oh well I am from the west and that $50 meant nothing to me? Because I would be like where is my other 50 fucking dollars.

Maybe you really meant when it is concerning pussy you are like yippee and don't mind spending an extra $50. Big difference in $50 meaning nothing.

[QUOTE=MutantChicken;2541767]This is the thing I elucidated to on the other thread. I said earlier that these girls survived before they met me, they were happily fucking their boyfriends for FREE, they were fucking happily locals for 500 p, as someone else mentioned they could be happily fucking the local divemaster for 500 p when bills were due, and yet if I pay them 1500, which BTW is higher than any of the previously mentioned prices, I'm cheating them. Shit they must like being cheated as they still WhatsApp me asking me where I am, after I have long gone. What does it matter how much money I have and how little it is to me, if she is happy, I'm happy so why are you UNHAPPY. Some of the members are accusing "cheap charlies" like me getting triggered when others overpay, saying how its because I'm financially emasculated hence I get all concerned when others are paying more. Seems to me you are the one getting all concerned I'm paying less. Maybe you should look to any inadequacies you have thus you are being charged a surcharge, or for reasons you feel you have to pay more.

I come from a world where many girls are happy to be with me free, some may even have sex for me for free, but I know as you put it these are 3rd world ladies with a 8th grade education and they need money to eat, that's why I pay what is a fair compensation in my mind, based on what locals would pay and based on local wages for unskilled work.[/QUOTE]Each to their own. I usually pay 1500 ST with no complaints. Girls are very happy.

[QUOTE=MutantChicken;2541767]This is the thing I elucidated to on the other thread. I said earlier that these girls survived before they met me, they were happily fucking their boyfriends for FREE, they were fucking happily locals for 500 p, as someone else mentioned they could be happily fucking the local divemaster for 500 p when bills were due, and yet if I pay them 1500, which BTW is higher than any of the previously mentioned prices, I'm cheating them. Shit they must like being cheated as they still WhatsApp me asking me where I am, after I have long gone. What does it matter how much money I have and how little it is to me, if she is happy, I'm happy so why are you UNHAPPY. Some of the members are accusing "cheap charlies" like me getting triggered when others overpay, saying how its because I'm financially emasculated hence I get all concerned when others are paying more. Seems to me you are the one getting all concerned I'm paying less. Maybe you should look to any inadequacies you have thus you are being charged a surcharge, or for reasons you feel you have to pay more.

I come from a world where many girls are happy to be with me free, some may even have sex for me for free, but I know as you put it these are 3rd world ladies with a 8th grade education and they need money to eat, that's why I pay what is a fair compensation in my mind, based on what locals would pay and based on local wages for unskilled work.[/QUOTE]You are missing the point. Could I get sex for 1000 or 1500 yeah I guess and some never ask for anything. If you are from the west and I'm assuming you are could you do this at home especially if you are from US. No. Speaking to a girl here half your age. Ewww get away from me you old creepy dude. What's a few bucks, yeah you say she is happy, maybe, maybe not. She would be allot happier with more, who wouldn't. Some guys are just Cheap Charlies not much will change them. They would do it if they were millionaire's.

I've been away from the board for awhile. Looks like I haven't missed much.

Conventional wisdom holds that the winner in an argument is the guy who gets the last word. Unfortunately, when the argument is pointless, it might be wise to drop out and let the other guy look silly when his last words are left hanging out to dry. On the other hand, if you are arguing with a guy who elucidates to his skills in maths, there's no way to win.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2541582]I read stuff like this usual don't even bother to respond, people are what they are. You are from the western world and have had a million more opportunities' and money than most of these people. 1500 vs 4000 what is that to you? I mean really what is that 50 bucks, which means nothing to you but the world to them. So cheating a 3rd world girl with probably a 8th grade education out of a few bucks makes you feel like "The Art of the Deal" World is full of heartless people I guess.[/QUOTE]An extra 50 dollars, or 500 K, in one's bank account at the end of one's life, is not going to mean anything to many people here. They can't take it with them. But it will mean a hell of a lot to many PFP pay for play ladies and or their families in poverty stricken places such as those found in much of South East Asia.

OTOH some hobbyists may be trying to get the best PFP deals they can to save up for their children's inheritance or other causes. They could save even more if they gave up PFP and went strictly for civilians or, perhaps even cheaper, autoeroticism. LOL.

555.

"Steve Martin. Sex Jokes".

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAKLKvUxdvQ[/URL]

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2541860]Speak for yourself sir. $50 means a fucking lot to me. [/QUOTE]That's funny. I remember you arguing that money isn't important to you. So, which is it, money is important to you, or it isn't?

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2542041]That's funny. I remember you arguing that money isn't important to you. So, which is it, money is important to you, or it isn't?[/QUOTE]I think you have the wrong person, but since you asked. Money is not important to me. That does not mean I am going to give it away willy nilly, when I traded time out of my life in exchange for it. What is important to me are the things that I can get with the money, and not the money itself. Keep the money and give me credits that I can get the things I want with. Fine with me. In the USA confederate currency is money, but it is worthless and you can not buy a damn thing with it. So having a house full of that money would be useless.

I wonder what guys are trying to achieve with paying over odds?

On the positive side it certainly gives access to prettier girls in town (though many would argue not necessarily better attitudes and service). I can understand this being of prime importance to some. However, I have also seen many Jeans and Tee Shirt provincial godesses that were ecstatic to receive 500 p for some new dresses.

Preferential repeat access would also be likely. Not because of the girls' sense of gratitude but simply because the guy has out bid competitors.

"Saving" destitute girls? I find this highly unlikely. Money just runs through their fingers and is seldom spent on long term wealth creation. I've seen many girls rolling in cash one day and borrowing money the next.

Similarly, warm and fuzzy feelings are unlikely as the girls immediately forget and past assistance and are only concerned with the here and now.

Giving her money so she can go home, stay out of the bar and await for your return. . . . Please!? Really!?

I think there are some areas where some guys (esp short term visitor) do gain a benefit from over paying but it's unlikely to be the life assistance and gratitude that many quote. I'd also agree with the previous comment that this professed altruism rarely extends to anyone without a pussy for hire.

Sorry for the rambling post. I've been copied up too long. LOL.

Enjoy. G.

Confederate money has not been debased and inflated like regular us dollars. It is definitely not worthless. It's worth many times it's face value.

Though I get your point.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2542060]I think you have the wrong person, but since you asked. Money is not important to me. That does not mean I am going to give it away willy nilly, when I traded time out of my life in exchange for it. What is important to me are the things that I can get with the money, and not the money itself. Keep the money and give me credits that I can get the things I want with. Fine with me. In the USA confederate currency is money, but it is worthless and you can not buy a damn thing with it. So having a house full of that money would be useless.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2542003]You are missing the point. Could I get sex for 1000 or 1500 yeah I guess and some never ask for anything. If you are from the west and I'm assuming you are could you do this at home especially if you are from US. No. Speaking to a girl here half your age. Ewww get away from me you old creepy dude. What's a few bucks, yeah you say she is happy, maybe, maybe not. She would be allot happier with more, who wouldn't. Some guys are just Cheap Charlies not much will change them. They would do it if they were millionaire's.[/QUOTE]This is a circuitous debate, I noted you comments on the vn thread and its clear where you lie your bed to sleep. I do get your point, and that is you say you could get it for 1000/1500, my answer is maybe, maybe not. Do you try to bargain when you are buy a car, hiring a contractor, I'm pretty damn sure you do or at least try to. But suddenly when it comes to a girl you don't negotiate and even pay more than she asks. The reason you do this is due to guilt or shame. This is clearly illustrated by your next comment about how you couldn't even get a girl who was 1/2 your age to speak to you in the West, and so when you are "here", you feel you need to "adequately" compensate her.

That's your issue, your feelings of inadequacy. I don't have that issue, can I get a girl 1/2 my age, definitely only it would involve a lot of time, a lot of kiss ass, a lot of simpering and a lot of cash. Time that I could be spend doing more productive activities. My norm when I was still in the west was dating girls 10-15 yrs younger than me, and even then it was too much. Sweet talking a girl 3-5 hrs before bedding here, if I were instead work, would have given me the income to pay for a 500 dollar FL at the minimum. Now where I live the cost is 15 dollars, so it would be 30 times more stupid for me to go the dating route. So no, I don't have you issues because I never experienced the "ewww get away from me you creepy dude" even with girls 1/2 my age. I pay because its the most efficient way to get what I want, not because I have to pay for a girl to talk to me or to have sex with me. Clearly you don't have the life experiences to understand the difference.

NB Many millionaires are millionaires because they are frugal and have a keen business sense aka cheap charlies.

But hey do what you do more power to you, ill continue with me 15 dollar hotties, with no competition.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2542225]I wonder what guys are trying to achieve with paying over odds?

On the positive side it certainly gives access to prettier girls in town (though many would argue not necessarily better attitudes and service). I can understand this being of prime importance to some. However, I have also seen many Jeans and Tee Shirt provincial godesses that were ecstatic to receive 500 p for some new dresses.

Preferential repeat access would also be likely. Not because of the girls' sense of gratitude but simply because the guy has out bid competitors.

"Saving" destitute girls? I find this highly unlikely. Money just runs through their fingers and is seldom spent on long term wealth creation. I've seen many girls rolling in cash one day and borrowing money the next.

Similarly, warm and fuzzy feelings are unlikely as the girls immediately forget and past assistance and are only concerned with the here and now.[/QUOTE]What is funny is that many if not most of the "I happily overpay" because I'm so financially endowed crowd don't follow their "Its my money, I spend it how I want" mantra, as from my assessment they are on one hand complaining that cheap charlies keep on cramping their style by telling them how and when to pay, but they seem to not have such a liberal attitude about how the cheap charlies should be allowed to pay what they want pay. Calling them cheap charlies, mean spirited, cold hearted, should be ashamed of themselves. There is no need to go further than the recent stupid shit on the Vn thread, which I quietly observed. You would think that someone who was so warm hearted and blessed with such endowments would have more grace than to "bully" the downtrodden broke ass cheap charlies.

Equally poignant is the fact that most in former group all they do is "comment" comment literally on every thread, comments ranging on how they used a squat toilet, the best fish and chips in AC, but I find it hard to find a FR or a post that relates to mongering or a post that has intel that show's they have actually been to some of these places, and were the big wigs the claim to be. At best they post information that can be readily garnered on the web for example bus routes to get from manila to AC. Enquiring minds would question the status of these guys one-handed typing basement trolls vs sophisticated world mongerers.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2542225]I wonder what guys are trying to achieve with paying over odds?

On the positive side it certainly gives access to prettier girls in town (though many would argue not necessarily better attitudes and service). I can understand this being of prime importance to some. However, I have also seen many Jeans and Tee Shirt provincial godesses that were ecstatic to receive 500 p for some new dresses.

Preferential repeat access would also be likely. Not because of the girls' sense of gratitude but simply because the guy has out bid competitors.

"Saving" destitute girls? I find this highly unlikely. Money just runs through their fingers and is seldom spent on long term wealth creation. I've seen many girls rolling in cash one day and borrowing money the next.

Similarly, warm and fuzzy feelings are unlikely as the girls immediately forget and past assistance and are only concerned with the here and now.[/QUOTE]It seems you answered your own question making a strong case for paying more than one has to.

Additionally see my post below a few posts prior to this one.

Also having spent hours this week RTF reading the forum concerning Angeles City, it is evident a number of members here believe that offering a tip incentive beyond the BF bar fine is a useful way to entice those inclined to such a motivation to provide better service and attitude, etc.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2542003]You are missing the point. Could I get sex for 1000 or 1500 yeah I guess and some never ask for anything. If you are from the west and I'm assuming you are could you do this at home especially if you are from US. No. Speaking to a girl here half your age. Ewww get away from me you old creepy dude. What's a few bucks, yeah you say she is happy, maybe, maybe not. She would be allot happier with more, who wouldn't. Some guys are just Cheap Charlies not much will change them. They would do it if they were millionaire's.[/QUOTE]You really can't compare what people pay in the US vs PH. Cost of living is higher, cost of sex is higher, wages are higher. This is partially why people move to PH to retire. Expecting them to pay the same for stuff in PH as US is just absurd. And yes, speaking and having sex with girls half our age is very possible in the US. You're on a fucking sex forum and you're spitting nonsense like "Ewww get away from me you old creepy dude"? You're basically talking about 90% of the audience here. Are you from PH? Are you trying to be a white knight?

Nobody should be considered a Cheap Charlie because they're willing to pay a fair rate for goods and services that are normal for that market. But people can sure as hell be expected to be pissed if they're being asked to pay more because they're from another country. That's racism and cheating.

[QUOTE=SinfullyKorean;2542423]Nobody should be considered a Cheap Charlie because they're willing to pay a fair rate for goods and services that are normal for that market. But people can sure as hell be expected to be pissed if they're being asked to pay more because they're from another country. That's racism and cheating.[/QUOTE]Spot on. If you are into the whole online thing (Meet Me, Tagged, Skout, etc) you will notice that the Pinay women normally stay active all during their nighttime for a very good reason. It's the daylight hours in the USA and Europe and those guys are willing to spend to buy "gifts' online than some of their own countrymen have the ability to do so. So to your point if the local market has one price and you being an expat or visitor has another that really is not helping the local economy on a fair basis, so I don't see why folks are getting mad at some who may be willing to negotiate differently than you. Like it or not, they do for themselves so you may as well look out for ones self.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2542060]I think you have the wrong person, but since you asked. Money is not important to me. That does not mean I am going to give it away willy nilly, when I traded time out of my life in exchange for it. What is important to me are the things that I can get with the money, and not the money itself. Keep the money and give me credits that I can get the things I want with. Fine with me. In the USA confederate currency is money, but it is worthless and you can not buy a damn thing with it. So having a house full of that money would be useless.[/QUOTE]

I don't have the wrong person. You definitely posted such a statement several months ago. It was in sort of a tit-for-tat you and I were engaged in. I started searching your posts, but when I realized you post a half dozen or more messages each day, I decided it wasn't worth my time. I think at any given moment you probably will say whatever comes to mind to stay on top of an argument--in your own mind. Perhaps you recall posting that Emory University offered you admission to their Anthropology Ph.D. program, but you turned them down because they offered you only a little less than $20K as an annual stipend. But, of course, money isn't important to you.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2542644]I don't have the wrong person. You definitely posted such a statement several months ago. It was in sort of a tit-for-tat you and I were engaged in. I started searching your posts, but when I realized you post a half dozen or more messages each day, I decided it wasn't worth my time. I think at any given moment you probably will say whatever comes to mind to stay on top of an argument--in your own mind. Perhaps you recall posting that Emory University offered you admission to their Anthropology Ph.D. program, but you turned them down because they offered you only a little less than $20K as an annual stipend. But, of course, money isn't important to you.[/QUOTE]Here I was thinking he was in aviation.

[QUOTE=SaltyPete;2542804]Here I was thinking he was in aviation.[/QUOTE]Why, because it is impossible to do more than one thing in life?

[QUOTE=SaltyPete;2542804]Here I was thinking he was in aviation.[/QUOTE]Here I was thinking this character's posting persona was a parody, some kind bore troll, which wouldn't be so bad if there was a bit of redeeming humor in it somewhere, but there isn't.

START. "Ghost towns return.

Since March 22, the Philippine government tightened social distancing restrictions in the national capital region, where the bulk of the country's industries are located.

The recently-imposed Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is the Philippines' strictest form of lockdown, lasting from March 29 to April 4. There will be a curfew from 6 pm to 5 am across major cities, with armored vehicles and soldiers with rifles manning checkpoints across major intersections.

Shopping malls have been closed and public transportation is operating at minimum capacity. Only essential industries such as pharmacies, supermarkets and hospitals are open. Mass gatherings are prohibited, as Metro Manila and surrounding cities once again turn into overnight ghost towns. ". END.

[URL]https://asiatimes.com/2021/03/philippine-economy-in-freefall-as-covid-rates-soar[/URL]

Meanwhile, here in Cebu City, life goes on, though we are still stuck in MGCQ and have been since last September. MGCQ is the least restrictive quarantine category. There are 4 categories of quarantine in the Philippines, ECQ, MECQ, GCQ and MGCQ with ECQ being the most severe and MGCQ being the least restrictive. Under ECQ most shops including malls have to close and taxis (including Grab Car) and bike-taxis are not allowed to operate.

All the malls in Cebu City are open and have been for many months, though the overnight curfew from 11 pm to 5 am is still operational. Trucks, cars, motorbikes, taxis, buses and jeeps clog the streets. The border check points between Cebu City and Mandaue and the rest of Cebu province were abandoned months ago. The liquor ban in Cebu City which was brought back last month is still operational (only for bars and restaurants, sales in supermarkets and convenience shops for take-home is still allowed). Almost all bars are shut but I have found at least one in Cebu City that is open and discretely serving liquor but it closes at 10 pm. As for the girls, I still have some regulars who are always willing to meet up with me and once or twice a month meet up with new girls via pinalove and dateinasia.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2483951]183 countries funny. I've traveled allot of places and nowhere is like Thailand, Vietnam or Philippines and those places we cannot go. Real beauties like I've experienced for 100 bucks or less, I challenge you to do that anywhere else. The US certainly isn't one. My last trip to Vegas saw a oriental the quality of what I get in Asia. How much darling. $2000 short time! HaHaHa you are smoking crack. Sure if you are filthy rich the world is your oyster but for us normal guys S. E. Asia is a unique place that is not comparable to any place on earth.[/QUOTE]You're smoking crack if you're paying 2 k for an Asian beauty in Vegas. A beautiful South Korean beauty can be had in Vegas for 300ST. At AMPS, they can also be had for 100 tip to the provider (after base fee of 40 or 60 to the shop). You seem to be greatly exaggerating the cost of sex in the US.

[QUOTE=SinfullyKorean;2546432]You're smoking crack if you're paying 2 k for an Asian beauty in Vegas. A beautiful South Korean beauty can be had in Vegas for 300ST. At AMPS, they can also be had for 100 tip to the provider (after base fee of 40 or 60 to the shop). You seem to be greatly exaggerating the cost of sex in the US.[/QUOTE]You went all the way back to page 22 to fetch that Locomotive quote. SK, I would agree with your prices for AMPS, including somewhat smaller numbers outside of Vegas. However, the AMP worker is going to require a condom. As a SE Asia comparison, a 22 yo provincial girl might give not only an evening and morning pop, she might also initiate a 2 am pop on her own, and be screaming happy with a blue note ($20) when she leaves after breakfast (so much so that you started with her at age 20 and she's returned each visit until she's 25, five years later, for the same amount). The idea of a condom might seem 'foreign' to her. Obviously travel and other expenses must be factored. You won't find that in the US.

OTOH, I have given multiples of the AMP amount you mentioned for ST, gladly, given the circumstance. I agree with Locomotive, the price / performance differential between SE / A and the western countries is large. Also in Vegas its not uncommon for FL to quote outrageously high prices ($2 k ST) and then not negotiate down. Going to an AMP becomes the default. The massage places will send SK girls to your hotel for $70-ish charged to your credit card for a massage; you negotiate service / price after she arrives.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2546488]You went all the way back to page 22 to fetch that Locomotive quote. SK, I would agree with your prices for AMPS, including somewhat smaller numbers outside of Vegas. However, the AMP worker is going to require a condom. As a SE Asia comparison, a 22 yo provincial girl might give not only an evening and morning pop, she might also initiate a 2 am pop on her own, and be screaming happy with a blue note ($20) when she leaves after breakfast (so much so that you started with her at age 20 and she's returned each visit until she's 25, five years later, for the same amount). The idea of a condom might seem 'foreign' to her. Obviously travel and other expenses must be factored. You won't find that in the US.

OTOH, I have given multiples of the AMP amount you mentioned for ST, gladly, given the circumstance. I agree with Locomotive, the price / performance differential between SE / A and the western countries is large. Also in Vegas its not uncommon for FL to quote outrageously high prices ($2 k ST) and then not negotiate down. Going to an AMP becomes the default. The massage places will send SK girls to your hotel for $70-ish charged to your credit card for a massage; you negotiate service / price after she arrives.[/QUOTE]LOL I was actually curious where Locomotive was from, because he said something along the lines of "you guys from the US". Since he only had 20 or so posts, I took a glance.

I know there are 2 k+ ladies out there. I'm just saying I don't think that's the norm. It depends on the pond you're swimming in.

I was just pointing out that 2 k ST is not the general rule in the Asian market, even in Vegas. The difference in price is a lot, but more like 10 X, not 100 X. I'm not familiar with the PH market, but am definitely familiar with the US market.

BTW, there's also now plenty of SK providers that provide no condom service for 400 now, mostly in LA, OC, and SF.

[QUOTE=SinfullyKorean;2546501]...BTW, there's also now plenty of SK providers that provide no condom service for 400 now, mostly in LA, OC, and SF.[/QUOTE]In SF area, the current price is $240 per hour.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2483951]...Real beauties like I've experienced for 100 bucks or less, I challenge you to do that anywhere else....but for us normal guys S. E. Asia is a unique place that is not comparable to any place on earth.[/QUOTE]Sorry, but I disagree. SE Asia is not unique. I just came back from Colombia, and got excellent service for less than $100ST. And the FKKs cost only $50 bucks ST. Also, You can't even go to Asia now.

Please, stop making incorrect statements.

As the Philippine Covid cases show no signs of getting better and lockdown / quarantine restrictions impact travel plans has anyone moved their their target to other monger destinations? Thailand? Vietnam? Sth America?

[QUOTE=Goferring;2547155]As the Philippine Covid cases show no signs of getting better and lockdown / quarantine restrictions impact travel plans has anyone moved their their target to other monger destinations? Thailand? Vietnam? Sth America?[/QUOTE]Astute mongers will know that this is not the time to travel abroad to root bird brained nincompoops for 1,500 Thai baht or 40,000 Colombian peso. The opportunity cost is far too great. Rich White Man Land (US, Canada, UK, Australia) economies are booming at the moment. Stock prices are at record highs, property is at record highs, interest rates are at historical lows, we are returning to full employment and there are too many opportunities to engage in commerce. Unless you are a recently retired assistant professor or are already marooned in the Philippines, there are too many good reasons not to travel just to get your marshmallow sucked.

Even if the economic conditions were not so great in RWML, who can actually leave their home country? Australians can't. And how do you propose they return home once their dick is raw from too much BBFSCIP? There is so little capacity in the scheduled air services from anywhere. I hear that charter flights from Chile to Australia are $12,000 one way in coach class, plus two weeks mandatory quarantine on your return at your own expense. No thanks.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2547155]As the Philippine Covid cases show no signs of getting better and lockdown / quarantine restrictions impact travel plans has anyone moved their their target to other monger destinations? Thailand? Vietnam? Sth America?[/QUOTE]Not sure if you are keeping up with all this but the authorities keep moving the goalposts. Vaccine passports, wobbling on whether vaccines are effective, air lines in ruins. If your cock is your boss, get a pussy and dig in for a long war. Forget Vietnam. Your best bet is a lawless place if they'll take you.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2547155]As the Philippine Covid cases show no signs of getting better and lockdown / quarantine restrictions impact travel plans has anyone moved their their target to other monger destinations? Thailand? Vietnam? Sth America?[/QUOTE]Yes I sadly had to. Last Year in September I was in Sosua. DR. I reported here. The Place was nice, but the prices and Services there where not good in my Opinion. Some Weekend Millioners who like to come there from a country north from DR like paying 150 $ for LT. And the Chicas like cold, short ST.

In February I was in Kenya. Mombasa (Mtwapa). It was my first Time in Africa and I enjoyed it. In Causarina you can get Girls every Day for about 15 $ LT (2000 Ksh). Great, enthusiastic Service. DFK standard. People were nice, Food was good and wheatear hot.

The only bad Thing is the Curfew from 22 -05. But besides I can only recommend it. I Had zero Problems! (Not like in the DR).

Africa will see me again.

Hey guys.

Hope everyone is doing well despite covid. I just wanted to get your advice on what the best beach town / sex destination in PI. I'm talking about clean clear beaches, not to many tourists, good local food and fun girls both P4P and local semipros.

I'm just really getting sick of the AC Pattaya Cebu scene and want to try something different.

[QUOTE=Benja85;2547422]Hey guys.

Hope everyone is doing well despite covid. I just wanted to get your advice on what the best beach town / sex destination in PI. I'm talking about clean clear beaches, not to many tourists, good local food and fun girls both P4P and local semipros.

I'm just really getting sick of the AC Pattaya Cebu scene and want to try something different.[/QUOTE]It wasn't that long ago that Sabang and Subic were the only beach options with girls in tap. Both have crap local beaches. Everywhere else was byo.

The internet has now changed that. Moalboal, Bohol, Palawan, Dumagutte all have girls online looking for "boyfriends". The only exception seems to be Boracay. That's still essentially byo. As usual, being in town now is far more attractive than "I'm visiting next year".

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=DzikaBomba;2547382]

In February I was in Kenya. Mombasa (Mtwapa). It was my first Time in Africa and I enjoyed it. In Causarina you can get Girls every Day for about 15 $ LT (2000 Ksh). Great, enthusiastic Service. DFK standard. People were nice, Food was good and wheatear hot.

The only bad Thing is the Curfew from 22 -05. But besides I can only recommend it. I Had zero Problems! (Not like in the DR).

Africa will see me again.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Many are comparing Africa to Asia 30 years ago.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2547226]Astute mongers will know that this is not the time to travel abroad to root bird brained nincompoops for 1,500 Thai baht or 40,000 Colombian peso. [/QUOTE]A lot of talk, obviously, about when to travel, where to go. While being in-country can be snatch-heaven, there are real drawbacks also. The NCR was put in a rather strict lockdown last week for Holy week, which appears to be extended for another week. Curfew 6 pm, malls closed. Nobody over age 65 is to be moving about outdoors. All restaurants closed to dine-in (take-out only). Many Brgy continue here-there lockdowns depending on new cases popping up. In yesterday's news, Philippines Orthopedic Center announced the majority of its staff has tested positive.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/21/covid-hit-philippine-orthopedic-center-suspends-outpatient-services-er-still-open[/URL]

From the article:

[I]"Hospital appeals for PPE, face mask donations

MANILA - The Philippine Orthopedic Center announced Saturday it would close outpatient services for the meantime while its emergency room would remain open for orthopedic patients after over a hundred of its staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The number of its staff who tested positive for the novel coronavirus also climbed to 117 from 110 reported Friday night"[/I]

[B]That's 117 of its 180 staff.[/B] A hospital appealing to the public for face masks. What to do? Where to go? Must be in your home by 6 pm. Not much to do during the day. Manila is in the midst of another bloom. Is this where you want to be?

As the others have suggested, Columbia, or the African continent maybe.

[QUOTE=Kazeu;2540317]Any idea what the logic behind these absurdly high rental prices are? I imagine it probably goes something like, I haven't made any money on this condo for months! I have to double the rent to make up for it! With no consideration as to what demand levels might be.[/QUOTE]Yep, that is pretty much the local logic in everything not only condo prices.

[QUOTE=Benja85;2547422]Hey guys.

Hope everyone is doing well despite covid. I just wanted to get your advice on what the best beach town / sex destination in PI. I'm talking about clean clear beaches, not to many tourists, good local food and fun girls both P4P and local semipros.

I'm just really getting sick of the AC Pattaya Cebu scene and want to try something different.[/QUOTE]A lot will depend on what you want to do. Diving? That will limit some areas.

Attractions? Also will limit.

If you just want a deserted beach no built up services but white sand, try Puerto Princessa.

Easy girls will be in places with tourists. However with essentially no foreign tourists left, even the tourist places have limited girls as they all went home when the cash flow dried up.

I am in such a tourist place now. The fun girls all went home and most local girls do not want to be seen with a foreigner for fun, perhaps a longer term dating and seduction would work but instant sex not so much. I am having good luck with girls from 50 kms or so away. They are not known here and are non pros who appreciate a 100 p, good meal and a good fuck or two once in a while.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2547347]Not sure if you are keeping up with all this but the authorities keep moving the goalposts. Vaccine passports, wobbling on whether vaccines are effective, air lines in ruins. If your cock is your boss, get a pussy and dig in for a long war. Forget Vietnam. Your best bet is a lawless place if they'll take you.[/QUOTE]I have received my Covid vaccines and would travel back to Vietnam in a heartbeat. I chickened out when I had a chance to go there in February 2020 and cancelled my flights. In hindsight I think I made a mistake. Had I gone, I would still be enjoying life there. While the Vietnamese government may be heavy handed, that is what has kept the country relatively safe with less than 3,000 Covid cases and only 35 deaths since the start of the pandemic. If only we in the west had the resolve to look out for the greater good rather than individual rights at times. There have been Covid pockets from time to time, which resulted in showing they have targeted lockdowns and meticulous contact tracing down to a science. For the majority of the last year, with occasional interruptions, the Vietnamese have been free to mingle and party even in the bars and high traffic areas like Bui Vien Street in Saigon, and the Old Quarter in Hanoi.

I follow the Vietnamese online news regularly and once Vietnam says Vietnam is open for International travel without more than a few days of quarantine I would be very comfortable returning. That being said, I must transit through Taipei or Seoul so I must also follow what is happening in countries with connecting flights. I sense reopenings will be cautious, but once Asia starts to reopen, the rules throughout Asia will likely be closely coordinated. My bigger concern would be my own government's rules requiring costly lockdowns at my cost on my return when I can self isolate at home no cost to myself.

Anyone else's WeChat acting weird? I presently can only see 5 people online, while makers appear to have been blocking escorts from searches for quite a while I used to be able to see maximum number search would allow on people nearby.

[QUOTE=Muttley81;2547756]Anyone else's WeChat acting weird? I presently can only see 5 people online, while makers appear to have been blocking escorts from searches for quite a while I used to be able to see maximum number search would allow on people nearby.[/QUOTE]Since WeChat started this Account Verification from an Other Account to open an new Account about 1 Year ago the Number of users decreases more and more.

No wonder, because there are no new Users coming to this app (which are not Chinese). No more Clients, so no more Hookers are using these app. Try alternatives.

The CCP took over the app completely so there is no more space left for hookers and mongers.

R. I. P. WeChat.

[QUOTE=Muttley81;2547756]Anyone else's WeChat acting weird? I presently can only see 5 people online, while makers appear to have been blocking escorts from searches for quite a while I used to be able to see maximum number search would allow on people nearby.[/QUOTE]The app has lost it's edge outside China. "Lookaround' feature used to find 100's of girls, now it is usually empty.

[QUOTE=Muttley81;2547756]Anyone else's WeChat acting weird? I presently can only see 5 people online, while makers appear to have been blocking escorts from searches for quite a while I used to be able to see maximum number search would allow on people nearby.[/QUOTE]I found a few chicks on Tantan in free mode.

[URL]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9439947/Covid-Philippines-Man-dies-forced-300-squats-breaching-curfew.html[/URL]

This is a report of the death of a curfew breaker.

[QUOTE=Muttley81;2547756]Anyone else's WeChat acting weird? I presently can only see 5 people online, while makers appear to have been blocking escorts from searches for quite a while I used to be able to see maximum number search would allow on people nearby.[/QUOTE]I've seen that a few times lately, but seems to refresh itself after an hour or so back to normal. "People nearby" has a range of about 20 km.

Brazilian hookers have gone on strike to be jabbed. Ask the Jollibees to get off their butts and back on their backs to take the jab. [URL]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9444167/Prostitutes-strike-demand-considered-line-workers-eligible-priority-Covid-jab.html[/URL].

[QUOTE=GDreams;2547924]I found a few chicks on Tantan in free mode.[/QUOTE]When you say 'found' did you actually meet TanTan chicks?

My experience is that it is slim pickings with scammers making up the majority of traffic.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2548894]When you say 'found' did you actually meet TanTan chicks?

My experience is that it is slim pickings with scammers making up the majority of traffic.[/QUOTE]Yes I met a few. One was very hot. I just used it in free mode and found it better than Tinder in free mode, where most of the chicks want premium payment. I find all the sites have scammers, just a part of the process to eliminate them.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2548894]When you say 'found' did you actually meet TanTan chicks?

My experience is that it is slim pickings with scammers making up the majority of traffic.[/QUOTE]Wasn't it Tantan that only accepts verified profile pics? Basically take a real-time selfie and facial recognition software would compare it to the profile pic on file? No more pretending to be a hot 24 yo personal trainer.

I seem to remember some other sites that wanted 100 points of ID uploaded as verification as well. No way in hell I'm uploading my Driver's Licence, Passport etc details to a random hooker for hire web site. Identity Theft anyone? 😳.

These were a while ago so things may have changed now. I did try them for a short time, essentially got nowhere, so just gave up and went back to the old faithfuls.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2548986]Wasn't it Tantan that only accepts verified profile pics? Basically take a real-time selfie and facial recognition software would compare it to the profile pic on file? No more pretending to be a hot 24 yo personal trainer.

I seem to remember some other sites that wanted 100 points of ID uploaded as verification as well. No way in hell I'm uploading my Driver's Licence, Passport etc details to a random hooker for hire web site. Identity Theft anyone? 😳.

These were a while ago so things may have changed now. I did try them for a short time, essentially got nowhere, so just gave up and went back to the old faithfuls.

Enjoy. G.[/QUOTE]I joined with my fake facebook account.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2548894]When you say 'found' did you actually meet TanTan chicks?

My experience is that it is slim pickings with scammers making up the majority of traffic.[/QUOTE]TanTan is ground zero for the Bitcoin scam and the Military Romance scam.

A hot looking Chinese chick will befriend an old white bloke (OWB). She will then show off her wealth that she got, all from Bitcoin trading. There will be pictures of Ferraris, LV handbags, condos and cash laying about on her glass coffee table etc. Before long she will convince the OWB to open his own trading account, so that he too can become a multi millionaire overnight. She will them train him on how to trade. The scammers move in and siphon the OWB's account. Goodbye retirement savings. OWBs need to ask themselves. Why would a beautiful, young Chinese chick approach them? It's not for true love.

The military romance scam involves operatives in Nigeria / Russia / China stealing pictures of legitimate US military personnel (male and female) from social media sites. Using the fake profile, they strike up a romance with lonely OWBs and old white ladies (OWLs). They will say that they can't access the internet due to US Government security reasons and since they are stuck in Afghanistan / Syria / Iraq, could they please ask for help in receiving lap tops, iPhones, iTunes cards, cash, etc. Very soon, OWB and OWL and down thousands of dollars. There have been cases where after sending hundreds of thousands of dollars over a couple of years, OWB goes to the rendezvous point in Bali / Thailand / Hawaii to finally meet and fuck the big bootied corporal, but she never arrives. Hahaha.

Vaxing in Philippines, attached pics. I think the last two pics are out of order.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552133]Vaxing in Philippines, attached pics. I think the last two pics are out of order.[/QUOTE]When do you get your turn? I suppose foreigners are right at the back of the queue.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;2552142]When do you get your turn? I suppose foreigners are right at the back of the queue.[/QUOTE]I did not see any mention of foreigners getting jabs. If any government is looking for herd immunity (regardless of what % the government thinks that is), they must vax as many people as possible. That includes outsiders (whether in-country legally or not), prisoners, everyone. Infected outsiders (symptomatic or not) can spread disease as well as citizens; hence you want them jabbed.

From almost all my Filipino contacts, few want a jab. Not one of my regulars (multiple cities) will get a jab. I hear the wildest conspiracy theories (regardless those DOH FB ads with pics like I posted, claiming that vaxes are safe and necessary). The conspiracy theories run the gamut, from the simplest (vaxes kill people on the spot), to more unusual (the vaccine is formulated so that new 5 G cell towers can geo-locate and follow you) to the more bizarre (vaxes are formulated so that 5 G cell towers can find you and laser-kill you on the spot). Nothing irrational there.

Little different in my country, just the anti-vaxers there have different reasons not to vaccinate. However, don't be surprised if only a smaller-than-herd-immunity % of people here (or any country) are vaxed a year from now. I am making a conjecture here: For many poor countries, for a variety of reasons (cost, scandals, corruption), it could be years before they get enough vaccines (trickles of jabs from time to time). A country must vaccinate its people to a herd-immunity level in a short time-frame (the vax potency might be limited in time). Its not only not looking good for foreigners here, its looking bad for foreigners in their own country who want to travel here.

Sad face also for foreigners here whose 3-year time limit is (or has) expiring during Covid. You must leave, and don't know when you are coming back.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552165]I did not see any mention of foreigners getting jabs. If any government is looking for herd immunity (regardless of what % the government thinks that is), they must vax as many people as possible. That includes outsiders (whether in-country legally or not), prisoners, everyone. Infected outsiders (symptomatic or not) can spread disease as well as citizens; hence you want them jabbed.
[/QUOTE]I've not seen or read anything suggesting that foreign residents here will not be eligible to receive vaccines, and, per local instructions, I've registered with our barangay both on line and in person. I've also been told by my doctor here approximately when I can expect to receive the vaccine. My assumption is that the timing of the vaccines depends more on the age of the vaccine recipient than on citizenship. I did show proof of permanent residency when registering in person, but I think that was superfluous to requirements.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2552191]I've not seen or read anything suggesting that foreign residents here will not be eligible to receive vaccines, and, per local instructions, I've registered with our barangay both on line and in person. I've also been told by my doctor here approximately when I can expect to receive the vaccine. My assumption is that the timing of the vaccines depends more on the age of the vaccine recipient than on citizenship. I did show proof of permanent residency when registering in person, but I think that was superfluous to requirements.

GE.[/QUOTE]Concur. I was not suggesting that foreigners were locked out of the system, I was saying that in the early bits of information coming out (such as those pics), I didn't see foreigners mentioned (same in my place back home). I was speaking more in the academic. I might stop by my Brgy hall and ask.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552165]
Sad face also for foreigners here whose 3-year time limit is (or has) expiring during Covid. You must leave, and don't know when you are coming back.[/QUOTE]I was aware of this 3-year time limit, I moved to Cebu City in July 2019 and am still living here. I have been extending my stay here every 6 months using their 'visa waiver' scheme (ie a 6 month visa extension). My current visa runs out in September when I will request another extension.

I have not left the country since I arrived in July 2019, and with the current ongoing 'rona restrictions on entry for foreigners I could leave the country tomorrow but would not be let back in again. So in a way I am trapped here, but it's a hell'uva place to be trapped!

My 3 years will be up in July next year and if the entry restrictions for foreigners have not been eased up by then (or the suspension on the 3-year rule) I will have to leave and go and live elsewhere.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552165]However, don't be surprised if only a smaller-than-herd-immunity % of people here (or any country) are vaxed a year from now.[/QUOTE]A recent survey here in the Philippines showed about 60% of the population were unwilling to be inoculated against the 'rona, I'm not sure what effect that will have on opening up the country. They started their inoculation programme back in February but there seems to be a lot of supply problems, so even for the 40% who are keen to get jabbed they will have to be patient.

Since I work in a COVID vaccine clinic, just a bit of advice to you guys:

-Don't take the chinese "killed virus" vaccines, only about 55% effective. Even their scientists say they are not good. China gave a lot of vaccine to many countries including PHIL.

-For you guys, the Astra-Zeneca-Oxford vaccine and the J&J vaccine (if available) are OK (most risk in younger women). The AZ vaccine is preferred as it provides more protection and is a 2 dose vaccine compared to the J&J vaccine.

-Russian Sputnik V seems good also based on published data in a major medical journal with a good reputation.

-The Pfizer (which is in PHIL) and Moderna vaccines, both 2 doses and both 90%+ effective even against some variants. These are the preferred.

This is a broad brush statement, so don't bust me on trivia with these. This is my area of expertise so I'm offering up the advice (maybe not worth 2 cents hahaha?

Good luck.

GG.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2552328]

-For you guys, the Astra-Zeneca-Oxford vaccine and the J&J vaccine (if available) are OK (most risk in younger women). The AZ vaccine is preferred as it provides more protection and is a 2 dose vaccine compared to the J&J vaccine..[/QUOTE]True for us old guys but the AZ can have some rare but severe blood clotting complications. A 48 yo Australian died last week.

Note that complication rates are very low so I'm not fear mongering but it's something to be aware of if you are below 50.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552165]

Sad face also for foreigners here whose 3-year time limit is (or has) expiring during Covid. You must leave, and don't know when you are coming back.[/QUOTE]Many mongers still at home had covid cancelled flights.

Some will be coming up against the cancel date for any 12 month Credit notes that they may have received.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2552328]Since I work in a COVID vaccine clinic, just a bit of advice to you guys:

-Don't take the chinese "killed virus" vaccines, only about 55% effective. Even their scientists say they are not good. China gave a lot of vaccine to many countries including PHIL.

-For you guys, the Astra-Zeneca-Oxford vaccine and the J&J vaccine (if available) are OK (most risk in younger women). The AZ vaccine is preferred as it provides more protection and is a 2 dose vaccine compared to the J&J vaccine.

-Russian Sputnik V seems good also based on published data in a major medical journal with a good reputation.

-The Pfizer (which is in PHIL) and Moderna vaccines, both 2 doses and both 90%+ effective even against some variants. These are the preferred.

This is a broad brush statement, so don't bust me on trivia with these. This is my area of expertise so I'm offering up the advice (maybe not worth 2 cents hahaha?

Good luck.

GG.[/QUOTE]GG since you work in this industry give us some info on the vaccine. When all is said and done, does the vaccine prevent you from developing full blown "COVID" and if so will you be able to transmit it to someone while your body is still building it's defenses? If it does, then why do we still need to wear masks in some places? Just looking for an honest answer.

[QUOTE=Drbombay;2552527]GG since you work in this industry give us some info on the vaccine. When all is said and done, does the vaccine prevent you from developing full blown "COVID" and if so will you be able to transmit it to someone while your body is still building it's defenses? If it does, then why do we still need to wear masks in some places? Just looking for an honest answer.[/QUOTE]The AZ, J&J, Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines reduce the incidence of severe disease to a very low rate (with Pfizer and Moderna reducing this the most to <5% All the vaccines reduce the severity of COVID but none of the vaccines totally eliminate the risk of disease. In terms of "carrying" covid, the data suggests the vaccines reduce the ability of someone to get COVID with no symptoms and tranmit the virus to someone else. BUT. That data is only observational, the studies of this are ongoing, so don't count on this right now. That means you still need to mask (actually double mask, paper on bottom, cloth on top), distance, and good hand hygeine. You don't need to mask when you are eating filipina pussy however.

Most of the cases of blood clots are in younger women but not exclusively. However the risk of dying from COVID is higher than the risk of clots (to date). Also for the J&J vaccine, there is an ongoing study to see if 2 doses are needed.

I suspect for any of the vaccines booster doses will be required. That is just the way that some of these vaccines are.

None of the vaccines "change" your DNA. The Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines that program your body to make the COVID spike protein and then your body makes immunity. The J&J, AZ and Sputnik V are "vector" vaccines. They go into the nucleus (center) of your cells and use your own DNA mechanism to make mRNA which then makes the spike protein antigen and then immunity.

No vaccine is 100% effective. But we know if enough people have immunity, then the chance of getting the disease, even if the vaccine didn't give you immunity is reduced (but not ZERO).

The numbers are in favor of vaccine vs side effects (severe side effects such as blood clots). But, I suspect the J&J and AZ vaccines will not be recommended for younger women to be on the safe side, and because there are other alternatives that are effective.

I also know that Westie is doing some research on a COVID vaccine delivered via semen. Exciting work for sure.

GG.

Should we not just take our chances? I have no intention of taking any vaccine (I never got a flu or pneumonia shot) except if I absolutely must travel (not for Pinay pussy). I think the risk is over estimated and that Western governments and health services are grossly incompetent, Big Pharma is the sweetest part of Wall St so FKK them.

I am around retirement age, fit, good diet, do very little if any risky stuff outside of sex.

Any idea why children must now be "vaccinated"? I thought they were immune, which sounds odd as the vulnerable are usually the ones who pop their clogs.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2552573]The AZ, J&J, Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines reduce the incidence of severe disease to a very low rate (with Pfizer and Moderna reducing this the most to <5% All the vaccines reduce the severity of COVID but none of the vaccines totally eliminate the risk of disease. In terms of "carrying" covid, the data suggests the vaccines reduce the ability of someone to get COVID with no symptoms and tranmit the virus to someone else. BUT. That data is only observational, the studies of this are ongoing, so don't count on this right now. That means you still need to mask (actually double mask, paper on bottom, cloth on top), distance, and good hand hygeine. You don't need to mask when you are eating filipina pussy however.

Most of the cases of blood clots are in younger women but not exclusively. However the risk of dying from COVID is higher than the risk of clots (to date). Also for the J&J vaccine, there is an ongoing study to see if 2 doses are needed.

I suspect for any of the vaccines booster doses will be required. That is just the way that some of these vaccines are.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2552573]I also know that Westie is doing some research on a COVID vaccine delivered via semen. Exciting work for sure.

GG.[/QUOTE]That's correct, GG. Dr. Westy's Research Institute, here at the Sam Houston Institute of Technology, is always: pushing forward. My efforts here are: ongoing. My patients here seem to be: pinay. My work is: plugging along. Injections are: intense and recurring. My method is: 'spike protein injection'. Regular booster shots are: encouraged. Patients say that after treatment they feel: very relaxed. The doctor finds his work: highly stimulating. Patients are encouraged to: pre-coat the injector with their own saliva (5 minutes shows a real promise, separate work is continues to be done in this area). With as many patients as I have, the doctor seems to have acquired: a herd.

In the pic, you can see that some of the injected vax is leaking out at the point of the injection. That happens sometimes. This girl will be encouraged to stop by again in a few days for a repeat injection. In fact this process might need to be repeated many times before she is fully immunized. She is not fully immunized until: the doctor says she is fully immunized.

Once the research is complete, I am hoping we can get an army of foreigners to come back here and learn my Der WestCoastian method of delivery, and get out there and deliver multiple jabs to as many pinay as possible. Gents, don't forget to bring your deliver tool with you.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552595]That's correct, GG. Dr. Westy's Research Institute, here at the Sam Houston Institute of Technology, is always: pushing forward. My efforts here are: ongoing. My patients here seem to be: pinay. My work is: plugging along. Injections are: intense and recurring. My method is: 'spike protein injection'. Regular booster shots are: encouraged. Patients say that after treatment they feel: very relaxed. The doctor finds his work: highly stimulating. Patients are encouraged to: pre-coat the injector with their own saliva (5 minutes shows a real promise, separate work is continues to be done in this area). With as many patients as I have, the doctor seems to have acquired: a herd.

In the pic, you can see that some of the injected vax is leaking out at the point of the injection. That happens sometimes. This girl will be encouraged to stop by again in a few days for a repeat injection. In fact this process might need to be repeated many times before she is fully immunized. She is not fully immunized until: the doctor says she is fully immunized.

Once the research is complete, I am hoping we can get an army of foreigners to come back here and learn my Der WestCoastian method of delivery, and get out there and deliver multiple jabs to as many pinay as possible. Gents, don't forget to bring your deliver tool with you.[/QUOTE]Hahahahaha. So far the best post of 2021!

[QUOTE=Free2;2552673]Hahahahaha. So far the best post of 2021![/QUOTE]Ya, Mon. I also recently read that jizz protein is good ingredient for facial skin nutrition. I swear this is not bullshit! I am going to share the science of this with my naive nineteen year old GF as a prelude to our reunification.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2552328]Since I work in a COVID vaccine clinic, just a bit of advice to you guys:

-Don't take the chinese "killed virus" vaccines, only about 55% effective. Even their scientists say they are not good. China gave a lot of vaccine to many countries including PHIL.

-For you guys, the Astra-Zeneca-Oxford vaccine and the J&J vaccine (if available) are OK (most risk in younger women). The AZ vaccine is preferred as it provides more protection and is a 2 dose vaccine compared to the J&J vaccine.

-Russian Sputnik V seems good also based on published data in a major medical journal with a good reputation.

-The Pfizer (which is in PHIL) and Moderna vaccines, both 2 doses and both 90%+ effective even against some variants. These are the preferred.

This is a broad brush statement, so don't bust me on trivia with these. This is my area of expertise so I'm offering up the advice (maybe not worth 2 cents hahaha?

Good luck.

GG.[/QUOTE]Just to take issue with one aspect of your post, the Chinese never "gave" any Vax to Phils. They sold it.

Surprise! Surprise! The PI gov are refusing to discuss how much they paid invoking commercial confidence. I think that's Tagalog for. "We don't want you to know how much we skimmed for ourselves".

However, My main point in writing is that I read this a few weeks ago: [URL]https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/from-dengvaxia-to-sinovac-vaccine-hesitancy-in-the-philippines/[/URL] . It tells about the last time that Phils bought a vax from the Chinese that was meant to protect children from Dengue.

[QUOTE=DCups;2552698]Ya, Mon. I also recently read that jizz protein is good ingredient for facial skin nutrition. I swear this is not bullshit! I am going to share the science of this with my naive nineteen year old GF as a prelude to our reunification.[/QUOTE]Speak to any Indonesian girl and she will tell you that deflowering a virgin boy is good for her skin. Many a school boy has found himself getting a lot more than a Big Mac and Coke from McDonalds when the girls are on the prowl.

Nannies have no problems with ensuring that their wards and his friends are very well cared for. Study Group at Jim's Place

No, I'm not joking.

Philippines IATA Travel pass?

It looks like the Philippines is seriously considering reopening the latter half of this year at least trying to organize this digital passport and simplify this process hopefully. I downloaded the app to give it a test drive but it requires an invitation code right now.

It says it will be used "Philippine flag carrier's flights from Manila to LOS Angeles and Singapore on select dates from May to June 2021", So this kind of app imo is more geared towards business and tourists at least we see some prep work going into reopening travel.

Cebu Pacific also raised some money to help vaccinate I assume its staff and prepare for the domestic reopening. It will be interesting to see what requirements will be necessary / accepted to fly. Since vaccine efficacy is all over the place I have been putting it off so I can get the vaccine these airlines deem travel worthy, I also want to have them roll the variant booster shoot into my 2nd dose to avoid a 3 shot if possible.

"Philippine Airlines joins global trial for COVID-19 digital passport".

[URL]https://business.inquirer.net/321519/philippine-airlines-joins-global-trial-for-covid-19-digital-passport[/URL]

US to citizens: Do not travel to Philippines amid 'high level' of COVID-19.

[URL]https://globalnation.inquirer.net/195357/fwd-us-to-citizens-dont-travel-to-ph-amid-high-level-of-covid-19[/URL]

Most travel-related cases came from Philippines.

[URL]https://www.postguam.com/news/local/most-travel-related-cases-came-from-philippines/article_a9c9c3ac-a24b-11eb-a928-a3d8e814c7a4.html[/URL]

Cebu Pacific Raises $250 Million As Gokongwei's Airline Prepares For Travel Recovery.

[URL]https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanburgos/2021/04/21/cebu-pacific-raises-250-million-as-gokongweis-airline-prepares-for-travel-recovery/[/URL]

I had to use my travel credit by end of December. So I booked to Istanbul- Manila- Cebu- Bangkok- Pattaya in November. Hopefully everything will be open then. I have had vaccine back in January- Moderna.

Right now all the top hotels have good prices. Just do not pre pay. Pay at hotel only which can be cancelled couple days before. Got Conrad in Manila for $95 . Waterfront in Cebu was just $70 with breakfast. All 5 star hotels are cheap as well.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2553307]Got Conrad in Manila for $95 .[/QUOTE]Any particular reason you picked Conrad, instead of something closer to the action? Do they have freelancers in the complex? Conrad is pretty deep into that mall of asia compound. When I was walking down mabini street these touts tried to get me to go to a brothel near mall of asia, they pointed to a spot north of the mall of asia. Is this some kind of mongering hotspot?

Waterfront I can understand its basically a giant brothel. Is this just proximity to the airport, as the conrad and waterfront are both pretty close to the airport?

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2553237]Philippines IATA Travel pass?

It looks like the Philippines is seriously considering reopening the latter half of this year at least trying to organize this digital passport and simplify this process hopefully. I downloaded the app to give it a test drive but it requires an invitation code right now.

It says it will be used "Philippine flag carrier's flights from Manila to LOS Angeles and Singapore on select dates from May to June 2021", So this kind of app imo is more geared towards business and tourists at least we see some prep work going into reopening travel.

Cebu Pacific also raised some money to help vaccinate I assume its staff and prepare for the domestic reopening. It will be interesting to see what requirements will be necessary / accepted to fly. Since vaccine efficacy is all over the place I have been putting it off so I can get the vaccine these airlines deem travel worthy, I also want to have them roll the variant booster shoot into my 2nd dose to avoid a 3 shot if possible.

"Philippine Airlines joins global trial for COVID-19 digital passport".

[URL]https://business.inquirer.net/321519/philippine-airlines-joins-global-trial-for-covid-19-digital-passport[/URL]

US to citizens: Do not travel to Philippines amid 'high level' of COVID-19.

[URL]https://globalnation.inquirer.net/195357/fwd-us-to-citizens-dont-travel-to-ph-amid-high-level-of-covid-19[/URL]

Most travel-related cases came from Philippines.

[URL]https://www.postguam.com/news/local/most-travel-related-cases-came-from-philippines/article_a9c9c3ac-a24b-11eb-a928-a3d8e814c7a4.html[/URL]

Cebu Pacific Raises $250 Million As Gokongwei's Airline Prepares For Travel Recovery.

[URL]https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanburgos/2021/04/21/cebu-pacific-raises-250-million-as-gokongweis-airline-prepares-for-travel-recovery/[/URL][/QUOTE]It would be natural that most of the travel related cases in Guam would come from the PI. Lived there for two years. For those who don't know, for some more of the advanced medical issues you have to go to Manila to the hospital to get treatment since they may not have a particular specialist on island. Not so much for those who make use of the Naval Hospital on Guam where if you really needed something advanced, they would fly you back to Tripler in Hawaii. Even your private health insurance policies in Guam have built into them the travel costs for at least 2 trips to Manila to see a doctor.

It seems that not all the LBFMs who come to Australia get to cohabit with RWMs:

[URL]https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/carer-forced-to-work-in-supermarket-stopped-from-going-out-by-sydney-couple-20210421-p57l89.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=AussieGaigin;2553434]It seems that not all the LBFMs who come to Australia get to cohabit with RWMs:[/QUOTE]Indentured servitude unfortunately is an all too common pinoy on pinoy crime. Almost all off the countries I've worked in and have had the chance to talk to the OFWs have indentured servants or "relatives" that work or very little or no pay. Sometimes direct payment to the worker is not given and could be in the form of payments back home so that they cannot "run away". If you hang out in the province long enough the OFWs often times try to take advantage of the family members because they are supporting them to begin with and since they aren't doing anything get talked into tending a store or being a yaya almost for free, I mean this happens on a lesser scale in the province to begin with but they see nothing wrong with it. They don't get paid for tending the sari-sari store, or watching the nieces and nephews, they might get paid inadvertently with food or shelter but rarely monetarily so one could see how this would not seem out of order to an OFW.

[QUOTE=AussieGaigin;2553434]It seems that not all the LBFMs who come to Australia get to cohabit with RWMs:

[URL]https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/carer-forced-to-work-in-supermarket-stopped-from-going-out-by-sydney-couple-20210421-p57l89.html[/URL][/QUOTE]That seems about the norm in most places. Look at Singapore and all of those Pinay women working there. They only get one day off, Sunday that's why you see them all hanging out doing all of their money transfers, shopping, ettc. , and pre-COVID the bars in Orchard Towers would be at max capacity on a Sunday afternoon with women dancing the afternoon away before the 9 pm curfew some of them may have.

There are some that may have more liberal leaning employers but for the most part all those maids you see in places like Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. Are under the same rules.

But the girls working in places like Singapore and Hong Kong would be under government approved and controlled programs, and actually get regular "wages" for their efforts.

I'm not aware of similar programs in Australia. We do have a "working holiday visa" program which allows foreigners limited working conditions, but Philippines is not a participating country.

This particular girl seems to have been "employed" illegally outside of our visa system, which is why it makes the news media. Similar cases have been reported before, many in the sex industry.

[QUOTE=Drbombay;2553497]That seems about the norm in most places. Look at Singapore and all of those Pinay women working there. They only get one day off, [/QUOTE]Don't they get less than that off in the Philippines?

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2553619]Don't they get less than that off in the Philippines?[/QUOTE]I worked at place once where gate openers / security guards had rosters of 6 months on, never off. By that I mean they were on post for 6 months 24/7, had their food etc brought to them, had a small latrine and shower area nearby and at the end of the 6 months their contract was finished and they went home.

No idea what their salary was but there was no shortage of applicants.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2552595]That's correct, GG. Dr. Westy's Research Institute, here at the Sam Houston Institute of Technology, is always: pushing forward. My efforts here are: ongoing. My patients here seem to be: pinay. My work is: plugging along. Injections are: intense and recurring. My method is: 'spike protein injection'. Regular booster shots are: encouraged. Patients say that after treatment they feel: very relaxed. The doctor finds his work: highly stimulating. Patients are encouraged to: pre-coat the injector with their own saliva (5 minutes shows a real promise, separate work is continues to be done in this area). With as many patients as I have, the doctor seems to have acquired: a herd.

In the pic, you can see that some of the injected vax is leaking out at the point of the injection. That happens sometimes. This girl will be encouraged to stop by again in a few days for a repeat injection. In fact this process might need to be repeated many times before she is fully immunized. She is not fully immunized until: the doctor says she is fully immunized.

Once the research is complete, I am hoping we can get an army of foreigners to come back here and learn my Der WestCoastian method of delivery, and get out there and deliver multiple jabs to as many pinay as possible. Gents, don't forget to bring your deliver tool with you.[/QUOTE]Following on from the pioneering work carried out by Dr Westy, I had my deliver tool up and ready earlier this afternoon and carried out a 'spike protein injection' on one of my regulars here in Cebu City. It was administered orally, and I have found that there is less likelihood of leakage compared with a vaginal injection, especially when the patient swallows.

I also find my work to be highly stimulating.

The patient had no concerns or worries about the immunization treatment today and is aware that she needs to come back for a booster shot next week, though the next shot will be administered vaginally.

There are some pics below of the patient, down on her knees getting ready for the injection, then going to work on my deliver tool, and then after I shot my spike protein you can see her doing a full swallow to make sure there was no wastage.

Dr Mdemde.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2553714]Following on from the pioneering work carried out by Dr Westy, I had my deliver tool up and ready earlier this afternoon and carried out a 'spike protein injection' on one of my regulars here in Cebu City. It was administered orally, and I have found that there is less likelihood of leakage compared with a vaginal injection, especially when the patient swallows.

SNIP

There are some pics below of the patient, down on her knees getting ready for the injection, then going to work on my deliver tool, and then after I shot my spike protein you can see her doing a full swallow to make sure there was no wastage.[/QUOTE]You suffered through it magnificently, doctor. And the girl is further immunized*. Excellent der WestCoastian methodology there. The Members should use Mdemde's post as a primer.

Our work carries forward.

* I realize that semen-injection vaccination (S-I / V) takes a lot more than 2 doses. A LOT MORE. But the two-dose vaxes are expensive, and harm a lady's pocketbook. On the other hand, S-I / V can often times *help* a lady's pocketbook. Hence, the ladies here tend to "Fall in line", repeatedly. And this just in: Studies show that repeated S-I / V is effective whether administered orally, vaginally, anally, or facially. Gents, learning der WestCoastian method means you too can help eradicate this. Once that's done, our army of volunteers can then also go after influenza, rhinovirus, shingles, yeast infections, peanut allergy, H Pylori, rickets, gout-n-gerd, acne, in-grown toenails, scoliosis, and a variety of other ailments.

I routinely get excited about this work. The good we do. . . The good WE do!

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2553770]You suffered through it magnificently, doctor. And the girl is further immunized*. Excellent der WestCoastian methodology there. The Members should use Mdemde's post as a primer.

Our work carries forward.[/QUOTE]Westy / Mdeme,

It's great to see you spreading inoculations far and wide. I think destitute single mothers form the ideal seed group for herd immunisation. They will return to their trike driving boyfriends and shabu addicted husbands and pass on the vaccine.

Perhaps consider contacting the Member for Manila in my previous post. Soon he will also be doing God's work, one facial at a time.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2553820]It's great to see you spreading inoculations far and wide. [/QUOTE]TYS. Fortunately yesterday I was able to inoculate a young lass less than half my age. Twice. I continue to plough myself into this work, thrusting home my agenda. She returns for another S-I / V treatment Monday, and she should be fully inoculated by Christmas. Following that, I intend to start inoculating her against possible sciatica. After that, fibromyalgia. These are busy times.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2553820]Soon he will also be doing God's work [/QUOTE]Praise be. Praise be!

From today's newspaper The Sunday Times. The Phils vaccine Czar is saying he expects herd immunity by October of this year. I nearly fell over this morning when I saw the headline in the newspaper. Is that possible?

According to the article: Another 100 k doses have arrived, bringing the total to 3. 525 million. The government says it needs to innoculate 70 million people to reach herd immunity. 1. 6 million have been inoculated, front-liners and seniors. The government expect a steady supply of vaccines starting third quarter of this year. They have a mass-vax simulation planned where they will be able to vax up to 120,000 persons per day. Multiple companies will be delivering jabs: Sinovac mostly so far, then CoronaVac, Sputnik V, and Moderna. In total, about 9 million doses with future arrivals.

How does that get to 70 million people inoculated?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2554138]From today's newspaper The Sunday Times. The Phils vaccine Czar is saying he expects herd immunity by October of this year. I nearly fell over this morning when I saw the headline in the newspaper. Is that possible?

According to the article: Another 100 k doses have arrived, bringing the total to 3. 525 million. The government says it needs to innoculate 70 million people to reach herd immunity. 1. 6 million have been inoculated, front-liners and seniors. The government expect a steady supply of vaccines starting third quarter of this year. They have a mass-vax simulation planned where they will be able to vax up to 120,000 persons per day. Multiple companies will be delivering jabs: Sinovac mostly so far, then CoronaVac, Sputnik V, and Moderna. In total, about 9 million doses with future arrivals.

How does that get to 70 million people inoculated?[/QUOTE]Dr Westie:

Rather than questioning the govt's figures, my suggestion would be the following:

-Mobilize the western "work force" still in PHIL.

-Assign them to deliver semen COVID vaccine to a minimum of 2 filipinas / day, 7 days / week. If the word is spread to these young filipinas, they will line up for the vaccine.

-Again, each girl needs at least one dose now and one dose in 30 days. Preferably delivered intravaginally or anally.

-No need for a placebo group.

I bet I could write a very convincing letter to the editor of a Manilla paper touting the benefits of semen delivered COVID vaccine hahahahaha.

You do need to publish some results (with more pics) on this board.

GG.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2554138]From today's newspaper The Sunday Times. The Phils vaccine Czar is saying he expects herd immunity by October of this year. I nearly fell over this morning when I saw the headline in the newspaper. Is that possible?

According to the article: Another 100 k doses have arrived, bringing the total to 3. 525 million. The government says it needs to innoculate 70 million people to reach herd immunity. 1. 6 million have been inoculated, front-liners and seniors. The government expect a steady supply of vaccines starting third quarter of this year. They have a mass-vax simulation planned where they will be able to vax up to 120,000 persons per day. Multiple companies will be delivering jabs: Sinovac mostly so far, then CoronaVac, Sputnik V, and Moderna. In total, about 9 million doses with future arrivals.

How does that get to 70 million people inoculated?[/QUOTE]Why do you assume they are using the Arabic number system? Perhaps they are employing the Alamblak number system, in which numbers are built from 1, 2, 5, and 20.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2554138]
How does that get to 70 million people inoculated?[/QUOTE]Short answer Lies and Magic. Truth is only 20% of the population WANT to get vaccinated and they have only jabed 1. 5 m single dose and 230 k fully vaccinated so it would take 33 years to vaccinate the population at the current rate and they also admitted that vaccinations due to the lock down have come to a screeching halt. They don't have cold storage physical facilities for a vaccine like modera or phizer on any meaningful scale. Lawmakers trying to push some discriminatory ordinance that would shame the anti-vaxers in order to see an uptick in vaccine adoption. Pretty much the shit show we all know and love to hate for the time being. Locking people down with 15-25 people in a single room does very little to social distance anyone in fact I think these lockdowns aid in the spread of the virus due to packing in the barangays with people who would otherwise sleep in shifts and pile up human waste. They have been basically double masking for over a year with the stupid face shields and still managed to hit record numbers of cases. They ignore doctors advice and have the inept military running the medical disaster response. As soon as the US opens back up despite all this silliness I think we see the Philippines miraculously welcome in vaccinated foreigners. Vaccinated foreigners will be injecting modified DNA into every willing philippina, so get ready to save lives by inoculating as many women as possible, you will be the new papa jesus, cream pies for all, they can't get it done so its "up to you".

"Philippines seeks to lift medical capacity as Covid-19 cases top one million".

[URL]https://mvariety.com/news/philippines-seeks-to-lift-medical-capacity-as-covid-19-cases-top-one-million/article_a36bbd88-a699-11eb-95d4-9be3d4a9f55d.html[/URL]

"Discriminatory, you say? ".

[URL]https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/naked-thought-by-charlie-v-manalo/352796/discriminatory-you-say-.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554569]Short answer Lies and Magic. SNIP As soon as the US opens back up despite all this silliness I think we see the Philippines miraculously welcome in vaccinated foreigners. [/QUOTE]Maybe.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554569]Vaccinated foreigners will be injecting modified DNA into every willing philippina, [/QUOTE]Maybe. Agree with many of the things you said. But a caution:

Here are several conditions. The US opens up (or other countries, say, in bubbles). Philippines vaccination rates takes much longer to get to any herd immunity (as per recently reported government vax numbers and MM's analysis). Phils welcomes vax-passported travelers. Willing Filipina. Those are all separate things. In chatting here in PM, or with others outside phils, there seems to be thinking that as soon as you can get your vax-passport and be allowed entry back into Phils, you are going to magically be back in P-paradise. Maybe yes, maybe no. Many of the Board gents are frequent guests here (as I was for more than a decade). They come / go for a week or a month, depending vacation time. They are dependent on hotels, apartments, and condos.

Just because the Phils allows vaxed travelers to come back does not necessarily change the ECQ / GCQ situation here, which is determined by the Government (not me, dammit). The 'CQ' situation determines what businesses are open. Regardless of location (Manila is the most strict), hotels / apartments / condos are still living under very strict rules (sometimes governed by fear), many allowing in only owners and registered guests who actually live there (no transient or temporary guests, as we are so used to bringing in ST / LT ladies. You might find yourself using ST hotels a lot.

I will guess that your vax-passport will get you into the country at some point, but you will have trouble finding a living arrangement where you can point / shoot this or that honey and bring her back to your place at will.

Other gents who live here feel free to weigh in, especially NCR members.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554569]Short answer Lies and Magic. Truth is only 20% of the population WANT to get vaccinated and they have only jabed 1. 5 m single dose and 230 k fully vaccinated so it would take 33 years to vaccinate the population at the current rate and they also admitted that vaccinations due to the lock down have come to a screeching halt. They don't have cold storage physical facilities for a vaccine like modera or phizer on any meaningful scale. Lawmakers trying to push some discriminatory ordinance that would shame the anti-vaxers in order to see an uptick in vaccine adoption. Pretty much the shit show we all know and love to hate for the time being. Locking people down with 15-25 people in a single room does very little to social distance anyone in fact I think these lockdowns aid in the spread of the virus due to packing in the barangays with people who would otherwise sleep in shifts and pile up human waste. They have been basically double masking for over a year with the stupid face shields and still managed to hit record numbers of cases. They ignore doctors advice and have the inept military running the medical disaster response. As soon as the US opens back up despite all this silliness I think we see the Philippines miraculously welcome in vaccinated foreigners. Vaccinated foreigners will be injecting modified DNA into every willing philippina, so get ready to save lives by inoculating as many women as possible, you will be the new papa jesus, cream pies for all, they can't get it done so its "up to you".

"Philippines seeks to lift medical capacity as Covid-19 cases top one million".

[URL]https://mvariety.com/news/philippines-seeks-to-lift-medical-capacity-as-covid-19-cases-top-one-million/article_a36bbd88-a699-11eb-95d4-9be3d4a9f55d.html[/URL]

"Discriminatory, you say? ".

[URL]https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/naked-thought-by-charlie-v-manalo/352796/discriminatory-you-say-.html[/URL][/QUOTE]Not to sound too jaded, but doesn't the Philippines have a lot of other curable diseases that vaccines have been readily available for years and yet they seem to be flourishing there in the PI. Look at their TB rates, measles, and other preventable diseases that Sally Struthers used to be hawking for your dimes to give to her organization so vaccines can be had in places like the PI, what makes people think that everyone is just going to fall in line and get this one?

[QUOTE=Drbombay;2554682]Not to sound too jaded, but doesn't the Philippines have a lot of other curable diseases that vaccines have been readily available for years and yet they seem to be flourishing there in the PI.[/QUOTE]I actually know a woman that used to work in Korea town in AC and she developed spinal tuberculosis, she daughter had a chronic cough that I was sure was not a normal cold and I'm sure she still has TB. She ended up taking a loan from her Korean employer for the spinal surgery and that's how she ended up eventually working in a bar. But about the actual adoption of the vaccine from my limited bar girl poll I have taken none of them are lining up to get this shot unless it becomes a condition for work. I think they will convince the general work force to get vaccinated primarily the ones who need to get a "Medical certificate" but everyone else I'm sure won't be lining up any time soon unfortunately.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2554681]The 'CQ' situation determines what businesses are open.[/QUOTE]Point well taken, I have not had the pleasure of being under any CQ, I'm sure it is not fun. Not being able to get back in has made me anxious to get back in, but if I do get back in and things are a shadow of what it used to be. Is it worth the trip at that point? Hopefully things will evolve to a point where most things reopen by the time they do let us back in.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554693]Point well taken, I have not had the pleasure of being under any CQ, SNIP Is it worth the trip at that point? Hopefully things will evolve to a point where most things reopen by the time they do let us back in.[/QUOTE]So some pics, showing how things have changed. Some 'CQ' in Manila. A waltz thru Agoda yesterday, looking at hotels / condos. Various laws, Brgy orders, DOH requirements, travel restrictions, and fears have lead hotels, apartments, and residences to enact restrictions on both current and inbound residents / guests.

First two pics, are the Red Planet requirements for all RP in the NCR. The chain has gone to quarantine-only (and some business travelers who can prove they are on business travel). The last two pics are also common in both hotels and residences in Manila.

Related current story. Recently I happened to take a walk down Mabini. Passing the Red Planet Mabini, I inquired with the guard about getting a room for the night. "No sir, this hotel is quarantine only. Not open for the public". OK, I will maybe book with a different RP. "No sir, all our hotels in NCR is now quarantine only". Check. I walked further up Mabini to chain Go Hotel. Four heavily armed police were milling about. I inquired with them. "No sir. Hotel not open to the public. Quarantine and hospital overflow. You should not be here". Check. Walked further up Mabini to City State. The guard said its closed. Looked across the street at Manila Lotus. "That is closed also". Are there any open hotels in Malate for the public? "I think only Eurotel sir". By Robinson's? "Yes sir". I called Eurotel, the girl asked if I wanted to reserve a Studio room. Yes, for me and my GF. "Oh, no sir. One person only per room. You want additional room for your girlfriend?" Sweetie, I am looking on Agoda, and all your rooms show good for two, three, or more persons. "Yes sir but its one person each room. Management orders". For reference, almost all biz on Mabini, del Pilar, and Adriatico are closed (including the vast majority of hotels and pensions), except convenience stores and the occasional Korean food takeout. Its a tomb out there.

When does this lighten up, or re-open? When numbers of new infections or deaths fall. Does that happen just because foreigners have vax passports?

This is West Coast, ASB-CGQ News, reporting from Manila.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2554860]So some pics, showing how things have changed.....[/QUOTE]Jeez, you're full of good news today😁.

How about mobility and physically moving around town? Are taxis / Grabs / Jeeps running?

I'm guessing the provinces are a lot better off but it's certainly not what we wanted to hear.

Stay safe. G.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2554860]
When does this lighten up, or re-open? When numbers of new infections or deaths fall. Does that happen just because foreigners have vax passports?
[/QUOTE]Maybe. Baiden just adjusted the mask requirement for fully vaccinated people so the world may start allowing fully vaccinated people run free. WHO and CDC have stated that fully vaccinated people should be allowed to roam free. Does this mean you can only co-mingle with other vaccinated people or will you be exempt from the QC measures all together? It is well within their best interests to implement such a policy, foreigners are basically walking ATMs. It doesn't make sense to restrict a fully vaccinated person especially if the US and Euro zones aren't doing it.

Back up plan: Main reason I have been so cozy with the bargirls and women online is I know of a few bar girl enclaves in the provinces in the south. I was mulling over renting a house from one of the respective other foreigners who own homes for rent in the province. The islands in the south seem to have their own bubbles for the most part so if you can make it into the bubble. It seems as if they let you live relatively unhindered. This would be my back up plan if AC is not fully or even partially open in a few months.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554876]Back up plan: Main reason I have been so cozy with the bargirls and women online is I know of a few bar girl enclaves in the provinces in the south. I was mulling over renting a house from one of the respective other foreigners who own homes for rent in the province. The islands in the south seem to have their own bubbles for the most part so if you can make it into the bubble. It seems as if they let you live relatively unhindered. This would be my back up plan if AC is not fully or even partially open in a few months.[/QUOTE]TBH, this is a much better plan. Finding your own apartment or home away from the city might mean that nobody is watching after you or your guests. Downside: No security guard is watching out for you or your guest. More on this later.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2554874]Jeez, you're full of good news today[/QUOTE]There's more good news. Will get to the mobility part later.

In your Residence or hotel (lets use Birch Tower as an example). You have, say 4 elevators. Each has a stated capacity of 15 persons (recently saw smaller elevators with capacity 20 -- yikes). That's 4 x15 = capacity 60 persons moving in elevators at one time. But its Covid, and the DOH limits capacity to just 4 persons per elevator. One day, one of the elevators needs maintenance and stops working. It is being repaired for several days. Capacity has gone from 60, to just 12 (3 elevators x 4 persons). If you've been to Birch Tower, you know the pre-covid long waits (not enough elevators). Current Covid means that it might be easier (or faster) for you to walk down rather than take the elevator.

A (bad, but not uncommon) example. You are on floor 10, wanting to go downstairs to pick up your Grab food, or grocery shop. You call the elevator. You can hear it rising from below. It shoots past you, going up, carrying 4 persons upward, to floor 20. Those 4 persons depart the elevator and 4 new persons enter the elevator, now going down. The elevator stops on 19, but no new passengers as its full. It also stops on 18,17, 16, and so on, all the way to the ground floor. After a while, you abandon the ride, or you walk down the stairs.

Another. 25 persons are waiting at the ground floor elevators to go upstairs. As each elevator arrives at the ground floor and exits 4 passengers, 4 of your lobby-mates board it. You hope everyone is queuing, hoping that since you are the 13th person to arrive at the elevators, you will be on the 4th elevator. But the crowd is growing downstairs, and new arrivals are crowding the doors. Good luck!

Ray of hope? "fully vaccinated foreign tourists" the holy cow theory I have about allowing vaccinated tourists seems to be becoming a reality. I have a few personal reasons why I don't want to travel to Cebu but if it happens there the whole country should fall in line.

Lapu-Lapu, Cebu mayor wants fully vaccinated foreign tourists allowed entry in city.

[URL]https://www.cnnphilippines.com/regional/2021/4/27/Lapu-Lapu-mayor-foreign-tourists-entry.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554941]Ray of hope? "fully vaccinated foreign tourists" the holy cow theory I have about allowing vaccinated tourists seems to be becoming a reality. I have a few personal reasons why I don't want to travel to Cebu but if it happens there the whole country should fall in line.

Lapu-Lapu, Cebu mayor wants fully vaccinated foreign tourists allowed entry in city.

[URL]https://www.cnnphilippines.com/regional/2021/4/27/Lapu-Lapu-mayor-foreign-tourists-entry.html[/URL][/QUOTE]The Mayor will have nothing much to do with it however. That's a decision that will be made by President Duterte and the Department of Health.

GE.

Not yet tourists but a step in the right direction? The Inter-Agency Task Force is really the problem here, until they reorganize that the odd ball policies will continue imo.

PH was also counting on 49 m doses of vaccine from India but seeing how India has vaccine shortages and a massive covid problem of its own that is not going to happen pushing that time line back.

"PH allows entry of foreign nationals beginning May 1".

[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1893237/Manila/Local-News/Philippines-allows-entry-of-foreign-nationals-beginning-May-1[/URL]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2554874]How about mobility and physically moving around town? Are taxis / Grabs / Jeeps running?[/QUOTE]Province: No problems. Had access to Grab taxi's (no regular Grab cars ever existed there). Grab vehicles got strict on the plastic. Not the clear cling-wrap kind of plastic, but solid plexiglass separating the front seats from the back. You must sit in the back, its required. You are in for hot ride during the daytime, as the aircon flow does not move past that plexiglass. Some drivers started breaking the plexi-rule. They purchased a 2" diameter PVC pipe, and used duct tape to afix one end of the pipe to the dashboard aircon vent. They cut a 2" hole in the plexiglass and pushed the other end of the pipe thru that, so that cold air flows thru the pvc pipe. Even with the pipe, you will still burn up, just less.

The first few weeks of the province lockdown last year there were no PUV running. The air went from crap to pristine. After that, they re-started PUV's, socially-distanced. For example, trykes. In my city, tryke traffic is strictly controlled, starting with color-coding the trykes themselves. In each vehicle pre-Covid, there is room for one passenger on either side of the driver, and 4 passengers on each side bench in the back (4 on the right, 4 on the left), a total of 10 pasengers. Since Covid, they eliminated the passengers in the front next to the driver, provided a safety harness to the driver in case of accident, and distanced passengers in the back to 2 on each side (leaving 2 spots open between the forward and rear passenger). There is a piece of thin clear plastic between the 2 passengers on each side in the back. Cost went from pre-Covid p7, to Covid p10. The RTA guys started strictly enforcing where the trykes were *not* supposed to go (each Brgy's trykes are uniquely color-coded).

All habals stopped for a long time. After they restarted, there is a large plastic shield on the driver's back. Cost went up.

Jeeps. Pre-Covid, most large jeeps carried 2 passengers in the front, and 11 on each side in the back (rack them, stack them, and pack them). Since Covid, no passengers in the front, and 6 on each side in the back, with a plastic cling-wrap type liner between passengers (similar to tryke). Those pieces of plastic didn't last long with the wind blowing around at speed. Or worse, they did, and they have everyone else's sneeze patterns on them, blowing around wildly at times, slapping you in the face shield (I called it getting 'Covid-slapped' So THAT'S why we have to wear face shields. Cost went from minimum p8, to minimum p15 (adding +5 or +7 to most previous fares) for a while, then some went back down to 10. I continued to take lot of trykes and jeeps.

Taxi's. All taxi's, including Grab, now have a cage around the driver, made with pvc pipe and clear plastic. Its great. It means with your mask on and his mask on, and the plastic between you, when you tell the driver to take you to Isabella street, he might take you to Rockefeller street. You are supposed to sit in the back seat. I like to sit in the front seat. Costs didn't change; flagfall = p40, p2 per minute, and p13.5 per KM. You can sit in the front of a taxi (but not Grab).

Manila: Traffic is way down. Arrived at NAIA on a Wednesday, 4 pm. Easily got a taxi, and was at my hotel in Makati in 15 minutes. At no time of day have I seen rush-hour traffic (yet). All the above is pretty much the same except the trikes in Manila tend to take only 2 persons before or after Covid (its a motorcycle with a small side car that can barely hold 2 people; as opposed to the province with much larger trykes where the passengers ride in the back (up to 8).

Manila Grab. I have a solid complaint. You might think that there would be lots of available Grab taxi's in Manila. Using the app to choose a pickup and destination spot, the app usually shows Grab Taxi's, and Grab Cars. Just choose one and book it. I have found that when I click Grab Taxi, I often get an error immediately from Grab: "Can not connect to server". This is a lie. Clicking several times on the Taxi continues to get the error message. But if you then click on the more expensive Grab car, it connects right away. I discovered that by changing back to the Grab Taxi, it then connects and all is good. Its an attempt to get you to take the more expensive Grab Car. #don'tthinkI'mnotwatchingyouGrab.

By Margret Fermin -May 3, 2021.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded the public that foreign tourists are still banned from entering the Philippines despite the lifting of certain travel restrictions that took effect Saturday.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente stressed that only foreigners with valid and existing visas are currently allowed to enter the country.

"Foreign tourists are still prohibited from entering the country and said restriction remains effective until it is lifted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) " Morente said.

He explained that the country only reverted to implementing the travel international guidelines that existed prior to March 22 when the government reimposed a ban on the entry of all foreigners due to recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

"The recent easing of travel restrictions applies only to those aliens who were allowed to come here before March 22 and they should have valid and existing visas at the time of their arrival in our ports of entry," the BI chief added.

The BI earlier announced that starting May 1 aliens with existing immigrant and non-immigrant visas may again enter the country.

Exempted from the visa requirement are the foreign spouse and children of Balikbayans or returning Filipinos and former Filipinos who are travelling with the latter.

Foreigners who are holders of valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) or Section 9 (a) temporary visitors' visas may be allowed entry, provided they present an entry exemption document from the Department of Foreign Affairs upon arrival.

Execept for foreign diplomats and members of international organizations, all foreign travelers are required to present a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel of facility where they will be tested for COVID-19 on the sixth day from date of their arrival.

The BI also emphasied that following the IATF-MEID, travellers who came from India or have a travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding their arrival are banned from entering the country until May 14.

[URL]https://philippineslifestyle.com/foreign-tourists-still-banned-from-ph-bi-reminds-public/[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2555697]Manila: Traffic is way down. Arrived at NAIA on a Wednesday, 4 pm. Easily got a taxi, and was at my hotel in Makati in 15 minutes. At no time of day have I seen rush-hour traffic (yet).[/QUOTE]Shots of Taft Ave, near Ocampo, mid-afternoon. First 2 pics from the east side of the street (looking both north and south). Last 2 pics from the west side of the street (looking north, and south). Same on Mabini. At times its a tomb out there. OTOH, the Monday and Tuesday this week following Labor Day holiday the traffic has been considerably worse.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554569]Short answer Lies and Magic. Truth is only 20% of the population WANT to get vaccinated and they have only jabed 1. 5 m single dose and 230 k fully vaccinated so it would take 33 years to vaccinate [/QUOTE]Those that don't get the vaccine will get a more natural set of antibodies by contracting the disease and recovering. Lots of unknowns and mutations. I am sure that once the western countries have their / our home countries secured then there will be more effort to bring along the developing world.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2554569]Short answer Lies and Magic. Truth is only 20% of the population WANT to get vaccinated and they have only jabed 1. 5 m single dose and 230 k fully vaccinated so it would take 33 years to vaccinate the population at the current rate and they also admitted that vaccinations due to the lock down have come to a screeching halt. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2556848]Those that don't get the vaccine will get a more natural set of antibodies by contracting the disease and recovering. Lots of unknowns and mutations. I am sure that once the western countries have their / our home countries secured then there will be more effort to bring along the developing world.[/QUOTE]And news out in the last week that the US is now in the same boat. Jabs have fallen in the last few weeks from 3 million per day to under 2 million. A large portion of the population is either unsure, or does not want, a jab. States are now in the position moving excess jabs to states with greater need. Excess jabs: Who would have thunk it? Herd immunity might be far off. Some reading:

Popular Science: [URL]https://www.popsci.com/story/health/covid-19-herd-immunity-unlikely-in-america/[/URL].

Fox News: [URL]https://www.foxnews.com/health/herd-immunity-looking-unlikely-in-us-report-says[/URL].

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2556189]By Margret Fermin -May 3, 2021.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded the public that foreign tourists are still banned from entering the Philippines despite the lifting of certain travel restrictions that took effect Saturday.

SNIP

The BI also emphasied that following the IATF-MEID, travellers who came from India or have a travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding their arrival are banned from entering the country until May 14.[/QUOTE]Harsh. Man, that's harsh.

Morsel: Tiny provincial beauty, the opposite of harsh.

In today's Daily Tribune newspaper, article "Herd Immunity achievable - Panelo", by Jomelle Garner (print version only, can't find it online). According to the article, Philippines received 7. 5 M doses this month (AstraZenica and Sinovac). "Panelo also said National Task Force Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr told him that 44 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in June. Galvez added that at least 13.5 million vaccines are expected to be shipped to the country in July. The vaccines czar said the country needed 15 million vaccines per month to inoculate 70 percent of the population of 110 million Filipinos and achieve herd immunity before the end of the year".

Reekaay recently posted his experience with covid in the Philippines. At first glance I was inclined to believe Reekaay but as foreigners in phils we all of a sudden are awarded a honorary PhD in medicine. We all know every foreigner knows best when it comes to medical issues and we are never wrong. Dr. Google would never lie to us or lead us astray we after all have a natural affinity for figuring out health problems and solving them right? Reekaay is saying that he got a false positive covid test. However there are studies that show a black fungal infection coincides with a covid infection. As seen in the due diligence below which was not in favor of Reekaays biased opinion. So Reekaay could very well have been guilty of what his subscribers were accusing him of being a super spreader of said virus. Of course he would want to refute this and try to debunk the fact that he had covid or spread it however after going over the facts provided by the guy himself it looks as if we was spreading this virus around and has the secondary black mold infection as a tell tale sign of the covid infection. He went into how one can possibly get this infection in his video trying to pass it off, however this virus has proven to cultivate this infection allowing it to take hold in covid patients. I am sure he in even now unaware of this fact and is still trying to deny his part in spreading covid.

I think there are 2 wrongs here.

#1 Locals often times choose to ignore foreigners concerns and disregard them. I feel as if foreigners innately look down on the medical care philipinos provide and the medical staff picks up on this pretty easily and holds it against them.

#2 Foreigners do a few google searches and instantly think they are an expert on said issues. Overstayroad's Marcos learned the hard way that what he thought was chicken pox was HFMD instead, foreigners often miss diagnose their illness, cause confusion, interject miss information and extra work when these medical professionals are trying their best to help.

It sounds as if they are just troll bashing Reekaay but he very well could have been spreading covid around, and he is extremely unapologetic about it and adamantly trying to indemnify himself.

What is your take of Foreigners and their obsession with Dr. Google? Why so much miss trust in medical professionals in phils (I know why just want to see what everyone else has to say about this)? Think Reekaay should be more apologetic?

"Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis Associated With COVID-19".

[URL]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7599039/[/URL]

Hello,

How is the Covid-19 situation in the Philippine Islands in general (Luzon) and in the other islands?

[QUOTE=JonesLover;2559821]Hello,

How is the Covid-19 situation in the Philippine Islands in general (Luzon) and in the other islands?[/QUOTE]Read back the last 5 pages of this forum (General Info). Also the last few pages of the Makati forum.

Yet another youtuber in the Philippines tests positive for covid (philly in the philippines). They go in and expect a negative test because they "feel ok" but the only reason why Philippines covid numbers remain low is because almost no one willingly takes these tests. They associate covid is serious illness which is a single digit piece of the covid pie. I would say almost all covid positive people are asymptomatic. You have to be extremely lucky / unlucky to get any symptoms. In my opinion COVID has been and is currently raging and has never stopped in the Philippines despite their non reporting of the cases due to non existent testing. But the foreigners all start attacking the health care system and try to discredit the tests where as if they received a negative test they wouldn't have looked into any of it. Bottom line is these foreigners HAVE had covid and they don't understand that the reason why having covid is dangerous is breeding variants. The original covid (0. 01% mortality rate) virus wasn't like MERS (36% mortality rate) or SARS (55% mortality rate) fairly benign to over 95% of the population but it has the possibility of turning into a much more deadly variant which is slowed down by quarantining yourself as to not foster an environment where variants are developed. Reekaay actually developed a far more deadly ailment aside from covid the black mold illness (Mucormycosis) has a (50% mortality rate). Which means our normal everyday hotels in the Philippines have a far reaching and extremely hazardous problem which is black mold spores in the air conditioning systems. Which is why you wouldn't want to quarantine in a "budget" hotel. Foreigners seem to have the extremely selfish misconception that this if you aren't sick you should be able to run around. Until they do have significant uptake in the vaccine it is still a giant petri dish for possible variants.

In honor of the inevitable preparation of the vaccine passport I scheduled my mutant mRNA vaccine, I heard that most places are putting the Pfizer, Moderna & JNJ vaccines on the vaccine passport list I went with moderna. Remember to keep your card in a safe place, might be the single most important paper we bring with up to that customs counter. June / July ticket prices to the Philippines starting to skyrocket.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2560703]Yet another youtuber in the Philippines tests positive for covid (philly in the philippines). They go in and expect a negative test because they "feel ok" but the only reason why Philippines covid numbers remain low is because almost no one willingly takes these tests. They associate covid is serious illness which is a single digit piece of the covid pie. I would say almost all covid positive people are asymptomatic. You have to be extremely lucky / unlucky to get any symptoms. In my opinion COVID has been and is currently raging and has never stopped in the Philippines despite their non reporting of the cases due to non existent testing. But the foreigners all start attacking the health care system and try to discredit the tests where as if they received a negative test they wouldn't have looked into any of it. Bottom line is these foreigners HAVE had covid and they don't understand that the reason why having covid is dangerous is breeding variants. The original covid (0. 01% mortality rate) virus wasn't like MERS (36% mortality rate) or SARS (55% mortality rate) fairly benign to over 95% of the population but it has the possibility of turning into a much more deadly variant which is slowed down by quarantining yourself as to not foster an environment where variants are developed. Reekaay actually developed a far more deadly ailment aside from covid the black mold illness (Mucormycosis) has a (50% mortality rate). Which means our normal everyday hotels in the Philippines have a far reaching and extremely hazardous problem which is black mold spores in the air conditioning systems. Which is why you wouldn't want to quarantine in a "budget" hotel. Foreigners seem to have the extremely selfish misconception that this if you aren't sick you should be able to run around. Until they do have significant uptake in the vaccine it is still a giant petri dish for possible variants.

In honor of the inevitable preparation of the vaccine passport I scheduled my mutant mRNA vaccine, I heard that most places are putting the Pfizer, Moderna & JNJ vaccines on the vaccine passport list I went with moderna. Remember to keep your card in a safe place, might be the single most important paper we bring with up to that customs counter. June / July ticket prices to the Philippines starting to skyrocket.[/QUOTE]As some may know, I live in Davao, in Southern Mindanao. Yesterday received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the use of which has been expanding rapidly here as the country seems to acquire millions of additional doses with every week that passes. To date, as far as I know, the Pfizer doses are reserved for those of us who are at least 60. AstraZeneca-Oxford is also being used widely, but again strictly for senior citizens. Aside from frontline medical personnel—most of whom appear to have received the Sinovac (Chinese) vaccine—the vaccine distribution is still limited to senior citizens and this limitation will likely continue through June. The vaccination certificate (card) that I received notes the vaccine type and the batch number and I was cautioned to retain the card, which now sits next to my passport.

I cannot speak for areas outside of Davao, but here at least stringent mask requirements are observed as is the wearing of face shields. Virtually all commercial establishments of whatever type require masks and shields and are quick to enforce the mandate. The police presence on the streets is almost ubiquitous and motorists—including Jeepney drivers, trike drivers and cab drivers—are pulled over if appropriate masking protocols are not followed. Masks are also required even for private cars and again, this rule is enforced. The bottom line is that the city appears to be doing what it can to reduce the spread.

The government has not, to my knowledge, provided any information regarding a relaxation of the rules restricting the entry of foreigners. My assumption is that the rules will not be relaxed until a higher percentage of Filipinos has been vaccinated. For those of you anxious to return here, I would not count on re-entering the country any time in the near future. The vaccine rollout here is just moving into a higher gear.

GE.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;2559821]Hello,

How is the Covid-19 situation in the Philippine Islands in general (Luzon) and in the other islands?[/QUOTE]Westie said nicely RTFF and I can add to read the local news online. Can tell you the same mostly. I read online Philippines news during the week and if you spend 15 minutes on various sites you can get a feel also.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2559041]
What is your take of Foreigners and their obsession with Dr. Google? Why so much miss trust in medical professionals in phils (I know why just want to see what everyone else has to say about this)? [/QUOTE]Saw this post and wrote a long reply which I deleted. I have had good medical treatment for locally acquired illnesses in Ph in the years 2017-2018 when I lived there. As to my opinions of the chances of ongoing good health care in Ph, I will cherry pick a few indicators:

Average life span Ph 71.1 Au 81.

USA CDC Budget $1 B.

PH CDC (as of December 2020 still being established).

Number of doctors per head of population (PH 0. 6/1,000 people, USA 2. 6/1,000 AU 3. 4/1,000).

Number of medical patents issued to Ph doctors and research companies?

Number of Filipino doctors awarded international honours.

Number of medical papers published by the Filipino research community?

For me the issue if that the Filipino medical system is bouncing along the bottom barely able to sustain itself and unable to do the higher level thinking that we see in the west. Of course there are individual differences. Systemically it's hard to see Ph being a leading country for medical advances and treatments.

I cherry picked facts and did not do any rigorous analysis. just wanted to establish a vibe that Ph is an emerging economy and simply doesn't have the institutional structures to support a high performing medical system.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2561200]
Number of doctors per head of population (PH 0. 6/1,000 people, USA 2. 6/1,000 AU 3. 4/1,000).
[/QUOTE]That is a reasonable assumption that the Philippines may have a lower standard of care however if you do seek out a western country level of care you should be able to find one befitting such a price tag of course. (There was a post here about people flying to manila from Guam because medical care is better in manila.) This would then make a strong case for never going to a local hospital / witch doctor and always visiting a highest ranked hospital in whatever hole you happen to be in. I would also suggest you tell them to NOT cut corners in lieu of cost. (I routinely go to the dentist in phils, I actually still do this because its much cheaper and they always try to do procedures without anesthetic. I have to explicitly tell them to not cut corners with me. You get what you pay for in this instance.) Since as a foreigner you can afford a higher standard of care (or should be able to) you should have no problem paying for it.

Would a western doctor be better than a local doctor I would of course say yes due to better funding better resources and better education. But I would also make the argument that even the most poorly trained "doctor" or "nurse" for that matter is going to have better medical knowledge than your average foreigner. Its quite arrogant to think that some foreigner with 15 minutes of searching can be as adept as a medical professional of any kind. Confirmation bias is a slippery slope and Philly in the Philippines has just recently done some Dr. Google research and found an article that went along with his hypothesis that undermined the legitimacy of his covid test. He now has gone through the proper channels and has done the test correctly and has not yet released the result of that test. However it is his own fault for not being thorough in the first place and going to a reputable medical professional. So finding fault with some hole in the wall usually "fake" clinic should come as no surprise, not going through the proper channels has it price. Philly is a great guy but he has a hard time reading things out loud and I posit that it is dangerous for someone to be making medical decisions without proper training. I would be very surprised if these foreigners understand confirmation bias. Medical papers are filled with caveats and someone who has a hard time reading to begin with is not going to be able to navigate that well enough to come to a "safe" conclusion. Have I met my share of very nice expats? Yes! Have I met my share of smart expats? A resounding no? I would ask you this question would you take Reekaays or Phillys heath advice over a bonified doctor? I hope you are saying no here. My argument is that they shouldn't take their own advice either.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2560738]Westie said nicely RTFF.[/QUOTE]Can we infer that your pal Westie isn't always nice about saying RTFF? Oh no! I asked a question. Heaven forbid. What was I thinking! I will stand down and RTFF starting 5 pages back to see if Westie or anyone else on the RTFF squad has been using live bullets instead of tasers to discourage discourse on the ISG. LOL.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2561262]Can we infer that your pal Westie isn't always nice about saying RTFF? {Massive snip}[/QUOTE]No. What you can infer is that the members who take the time to provide valuable information to other forum users have the reasonable expectation that people will at least check the forum and / or use the search function before asking a question that may have been asked many times before. It's quite a reasonable expectation as well. RTFF!

[QUOTE=TheRose;2561262]Can we infer that your pal Westie isn't always nice about saying RTFF? Oh no! I asked a question. Heaven forbid. What was I thinking! I will stand down and RTFF starting 5 pages back to see if Westie or anyone else on the RTFF squad has been using live bullets instead of tasers to discourage discourse on the ISG. LOL.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Stykler;2561406]No. What you can infer is that the members who take the time to provide valuable information to other forum users have the reasonable expectation that people will at least check the forum and / or use the search function before asking a question that may have been asked many times before. It's quite a reasonable expectation as well. RTFF![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=JonesLover;2559821]How is the Covid-19 situation in the Philippine Islands in general (Luzon) and in the other islands?[/QUOTE]Westy is confused. I think it was Jonesy who asked the Covid question on May 16,2021, not Rose.

[QUOTE=CheckMate1;2517092]My understanding of the 94% and 95% effectiveness is after second shot. Why not just wait for both shots and then go?[/QUOTE]That's from page 15 in this thread, December 31,2020.

We have been discussing Covid on this thread (and other Phils threads) since it started a year ago. Covid has dominated the discussions in this thread for much more than 5 pages. I just chose 5 pages as an example. Having people like Jones asking a general question that we've been answering / discussing for some time means we need to re-answer them. Its easier on the responding members, and expected, that members will RTTF before asking questions, so we don't have another member pop off again in a few days with: "How's the Covid situation over there? Will it open up soon for travelers?" Jones' question does not encourage discourse on the topic. Discourse involves both the giving and taking of information; asking a general question, like "Where do I find the best girls?" does not foster discourse. If Jones' or others have specific info to offer on the topic (or any topic), that would be great.

The best way to find out information about your question is to RTTF first. If you can't find an answer, PM one of us. If you still can't find an answer, posit your question on the open board. After that, post some Field Reports of your travels (otherwise it will appear you are taking, without giving back).

Rose I think you will find, if you look back thru the Phils threads, that when newbs ask general questions (that have previously been answered), it works out well for the newb only. The Board regulars who (re-) respond to his question take their time to do so in the expectation that he will write up some descriptive Field Reports upon his visit in-country. However most such newbs don't bother to do that. And anudder ting: 5 pages is spit. If you are making your first trip to Phils and want info about both Burgos and AC (not uncommon), then please read back 20 pages in each of these forums: Manila, Makati, Angeles City. Its a few hours and a wealth of information (and also some BS, admittedly some from myself).

[QUOTE=TheRose;2561262]Can we infer that your pal Westie isn't always nice about saying RTFF? Oh no! I asked a question. Heaven forbid. What was I thinking! I will stand down and RTFF starting 5 pages back to see if Westie or anyone else on the RTFF squad has been using live bullets instead of tasers to discourage discourse on the ISG. LOL.[/QUOTE]Yeah, you're going thousands of miles to a place you haven't been, looking for fun that the majority of population frown upon, and you have available resources to read to catch up. But it is too hard to read 5, 10,50 pages to research for your answer like an adult.

This is not a shaming statement. Only to point out that many, including me, at the beginning, like to get the information as quickly as possible because we've been asleep during class. Slow down, take a breath, and read a little bit. Every minute / hour you read, WILL save you a ton of issues going forward, when you will be taking on live bullets from bad situations.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2561262]Can we infer that your pal Westie isn't always nice about saying RTFF? Oh no! I asked a question. Heaven forbid. What was I thinking! I will stand down and RTFF starting 5 pages back to see if Westie or anyone else on the RTFF squad has been using live bullets instead of tasers to discourage discourse on the ISG. LOL.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=WestCoast1;2561455]Westy is confused.
The best way to find out information about your question is to RTTF first. If you can't find an answer, PM one of us. If you still can't find an answer, posit your question on the open board. After that, post some Field Reports of your travels (otherwise it will appear you are taking, without giving back).
Rose I think you will find, if you look back thru the Phils threads, that when newbs ask general questions (that have previously been answered), it works out well for the newb only. The Board regulars who (re-) respond to his question take their time to do so in the expectation that he will write up some descriptive Field Reports upon his visit in-country. However most such newbs don't bother to do that. And anudder ting: 5 pages is spit. If you are making your first trip to Phils and want info about both Burgos and AC (not uncommon), then please read back 20 pages in each of these forums: Manila, Makati, Angeles City. Its a few hours and a wealth of information (and also some BS, admittedly some from myself).[/QUOTE]West is your age = confusion but I think there are medicines for that LOL.

My first trip to Philippines many years ago I spend over an hour RTFF and I PM a few seniors (Love Asian W was a big contributor then). They were all helpful as I showed I did my research and posed specific questions unlike many newbs.

Loso 69 did the same on his first visit to the UAE and PM me a few times, did lots of RTFF, arrived we met and partied, he was helped with pinay contact s and had a great time.

5 pages is lazy and that is being nice, 50 is more like it and on each thread as the info here is very good when compared to others.

[QUOTE=Stykler;2561406]No. What you can infer is that the members who take the time to provide valuable information to other forum users have the reasonable expectation that people will at least check the forum and / or use the search function before asking a question that may have been asked many times before. It's quite a reasonable expectation as well. RTFF![/QUOTE]Nicely put Stykler, some still won't understand this erudite way of saying RTFF but it is a fact.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2561262]Can we infer that your pal Westie isn't always nice about saying RTFF? Oh no! I asked a question. Heaven forbid. What was I thinking! I will stand down and RTFF starting 5 pages back to see if Westie or anyone else on the RTFF squad has been using live bullets instead of tasers to discourage discourse on the ISG. LOL.[/QUOTE]See above and please contribute and if not please PM me / anyone who you think maybe able to help as PM is a way of sharing digits and contacts that can't be done openly on the board.

So easy, so simple but some as they say on the UAE are managers / directors LOL.

FYI the only bullets I like are hard bullet like nipples on a pinay LOL.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2561700]West is your age = confusion but I think there are medicines for that LOL.[/QUOTE]It would seem there are medicines for a variety of things these days. Smile.

Gents, it would seem Dr. Westy's vaxxing efforts are still underway. This unfortunate leakage was from this 22 yo's second dosing of the morning. The first dose held strong inside, but an hour later some of the second dose spilled out. The girl felt bad about this. However the doctor is facing some exhaustion in his work and needs a day or so of rest. She has asked to come again in a few days for what the doctor describes as: a solid double-dose. Wish me luck.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2562021]It would seem there are medicines for a variety of things these days. Smile.

Gents, it would seem Dr. Westy's vaxxing efforts are still underway. This unfortunate leakage was from this 22 yo's second dosing of the morning. The first dose held strong inside, but an hour later some of the second dose spilled out. The girl felt bad about this. However the doctor is facing some exhaustion in his work and needs a day or so of rest. She has asked to come again in a few days for what the doctor describes as: a solid double-dose. Wish me luck.[/QUOTE]Curious to know how safe is to monger without condom!

[QUOTE=BenZw126;2562126]Curious to know how safe is to monger without condom![/QUOTE]Leave this to the professionals, untrained would be mongers concerned about safety should not attempt this under any circumstance. I would suggest the doubling up on the condom, plastic wrap and face mask routine if you are concerned about safety.

[QUOTE=BenZw126;2562126]Curious to know how safe is to monger without condom![/QUOTE]Guessing a legit answer is "less than" without, and "greater than" with. Another question previously asked-and-answered (numerous times) on the Phils forum. Remember, do what Westy says, not what Westy does. You cover up.

[QUOTE=BenZw126;2562126]Curious to know how safe is to monger without condom![/QUOTE]Seriously you are asking this on a forum dedicated to sex travel? Google every answer and multiply that by 70. You will need many paralegals to help you figure that one out.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2562174]Guessing a legit answer is "less than" without, and "greater than" with. Another question previously asked-and-answered (numerous times) on the Phils forum. Remember, do what Westy says, not what Westy does. You cover up.[/QUOTE]Upon closer inspection (the lack of a question mark) he was telling YOU to cover up. It was a rhetorical exclamation, I guess in India raw doging is not a thing? Cream pies are the best thing about the philippines. I get pushback in other monger destinations. Philippines is still (I hope it still is when I get back) the land of cream pies / GFE.

[QUOTE=BenZw126;2562126]Curious to know how safe is to monger without condom![/QUOTE]What the fuck. How safe is it to walk across the street without looking both ways? How safe is it to ski down the bunny slope? How safe is it to put money into bitcoin? Whatever you do, you assume your own risk. Nobody can tell you how safe it is to stick your dick into any random pussy that you may encounter on this planet.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2562668]Upon closer inspection (the lack of a question mark) he was telling YOU to cover up. It was a rhetorical exclamation...[/QUOTE]Someone gets an A for Observation. 😁.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2562696]What the fuck. How safe is it to walk across the street without looking both ways? How safe is it to ski down the bunny slope? How safe is it to put money into bitcoin? Whatever you do, you assume your own risk. Nobody can tell you how safe it is to stick your dick into any random pussy that you may encounter on this planet.[/QUOTE]After years of empirical analysis, I'd give it a 83.2% rating, dipping to 68.4% on Thursdays.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=BenZw126;2562126]Curious to know how safe is to monger without condom![/QUOTE]BenZ, continue to watch this space. Guessing BenZ is not familiar with the body of my work here.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2562757]After years of empirical analysis, I'd give it a 83.2% rating, dipping to 68.4% on Thursdays.[/QUOTE]That's what I was thinking. Thanks gents, BenZ has his answer (s). Not sure whether that's a rhetorical, or an interrogative ("Curious to know" suggests asking something). Strunk & White would give that a close look.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2562668]Cream pies are the best thing about the philippines. SNIP Philippines is still (I hope it still is when I get back) the land of cream pies / GFE.[/QUOTE]Could not agree more. I continue my work here fellas, and will update you from time to time, with documented evidence. Can't wait until you good gents can return and start vaxxing the f*ck out of these gals.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2561700]Loso 69 did the same on his first visit to the UAE and PM me a few times, did lots of RTFF, arrived we met and partied, he was helped with pinay contact s and had a great time.[/QUOTE]A little shout out to WR whom I met on one of my first trips to Cebu in 2012. We didn't party but we did enjoy coffee at Ayala Mall in Cebu.

The next year WR helped me out with two amazing referrals. Fark. Amazing and they left the industry soon after.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2562783]A little shout out to WR whom I met on one of my first trips to Cebu in 2012. We didn't party but we did enjoy coffee at Ayala Mall in Cebu.

The next year WR helped me out with two amazing referrals. Fark. Amazing and they left the industry soon after.[/QUOTE]Roger's friends have incapacitated several members on the board, including myself. Beware what you ask for. 😁.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2114990]While I was having fun with PinaLove, I received a PM from Wicked Rodger......[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2562783]A little shout out to WR whom I met on one of my first trips to Cebu in 2012. We didn't party but we did enjoy coffee at Ayala Mall in Cebu.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2562936]Roger's friends have incapacitated several members on the board, including myself. Beware what you ask for. 😁.[/QUOTE]Nickname for Bo's Coffee, Cebu Ayala, second floor: "Roger's Office".

IATF just nerfed all the awesome CEBU goodness that was going on. IATF has nothing to do with science, sanity or public welfare. I expected nothing less, I guess.

"all international flights scheduled to land in MCIA beginning 12:01 am Of May 29 until 11:59 pm Of June 5, 2021 will be redirected to the NAIA".

"Cebu-bound international flights to be diverted to NAIA".

[URL]https://ph.news.yahoo.com/cebu-bound-international-flights-diverted-134500929.html[/URL]

For those chomping at the bit to get back over here, I've included a link to an "Inquirer" article that I saw yesterday that should give you some reason for optimism:

[URL]https://globalnation.inquirer.net/196463/ph-prepares-to-welcome-fully-vaccinated-foreign-travelers[/URL]

According to the article, the country will begin to open to fully vaccinated passengers as early as sometime in June.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2563372]For those chomping at the bit to get back over here, I've included a link to an "Inquirer" article that I saw yesterday that should give you some reason for optimism:

[URL]https://globalnation.inquirer.net/196463/ph-prepares-to-welcome-fully-vaccinated-foreign-travelers[/URL]

According to the article, the country will begin to open to fully vaccinated passengers as early as sometime in June.[/QUOTE]Thanks GE. From the article:

[I]Bengzon said 13 hotels in Metro Manila had been allowed to accept leisure travelers and host staycations. But they can only accept guests age 18 to 65 years old, who must present papers showing negative antigen test results, he pointed out. Bengzon also said point-to-point leisure air travel for residents of NCR Plus is now allowed. This means they can fly to hotels or resorts that have been given authority to operate for point-to-point travel, he said. Under DOT Administrative Order No. 2021-003, point-to-point air travel is allowed from NCR Plus to a resort in an area under GCQ or modified general community quarantine. Travelers must take chartered flights [/I]

Its a good sign and start.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2564009]For anyone who may be interested, a new isolation edict went into effect in Davao today, banning any out of the house / residence activities on Sundays. I presume exceptions are granted for medical emergencies, but no casual travel on Sundays is permitted.[/QUOTE]Moved to Gen Info: Good information for this board and for all parts of the country. The entire country (and other countries, including my own) is a hodge-podge patchwork quilt of differing rules. From different regions, to different cities, to different Brgy within a city, and possibly other jurisdictions, rules can be different and can change. Covid numbers drive the changes. Each region, city, and Brgy leader (LGU) can issue proclamations (rules) during a calamity (as per the Constitution, I believe).

I would remind us all that there is little in the way of national policy. When Westy says his curfew is 10 pm in this city, it is possible GE's city is 9 pm. In another city there might be no curfew? Worse, it can be different in each Brgy in GE's city (Brgy Captains can make it more strict). Travel restrictions and quarantine requirements can be different by city. Homes, compounds, city blocks, or entire Brgy can be locked quickly by the government (DOH) when cases are discovered. In the same vein that GE and I have mentioned the possibility of flying to Phils in the near future, until the Covid situation stabilizes (probably herd immunity according to the government), you will have situations like this that are non-mongering friendly. "Feel free to come, but stay inside your place". If GE's large city has decided to restrict movement to stay indoors, even if only one day per week, its not a good sign. I've received word in the last week of two other provincial cities having blooms and they have moved back to a stricter CQ system also. More later (yellow tape).

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2564314]The entire country (and other countries, including my own) is a hodge-podge patchwork quilt of differing rules. From different regions, to different cities, to different Brgy within a city, and possibly other jurisdictions, rules can be different and can change. Covid numbers drive the changes. Each region, city, and Brgy leader (LGU) can issue proclamations (rules) during a calamity (as per the Constitution, I believe).

I would remind us all that there is little in the way of national policy. When Westy says his curfew is 10 pm in this city, it is possible GE's city is 9 pm.
I've received word in the last week of two other provincial cities having blooms and they have moved back to a stricter CQ system also. More later (yellow tape).[/QUOTE]Certainly the case in parts of Leyte. Some towns / bgys are super strict and are acting as an ECQ others more relaxed. Infuriating, confusing, maddening etc. Also the need to fiesta is causing some covid spikes (just read the local Manila news to see the idiots doing that. And then mass testing shows lots of Covid cases!

So 'hodge podge' is a nice way to describe it.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2564314]Homes, compounds, city blocks, or entire Brgy can be locked quickly by the government (DOH) when cases are discovered.[/QUOTE]Lockdowns can be announced in advance (ala GE's Davao post: Don't go out on Sundays). Or, much more quickly, without warning. One day I went for a morning walk, including straight down Adriatico, from Faura to Pedro Gil. Stopped into the McDonald's on the corner for coffee. All systems normal. A few hours later I was in Rizal Park and grabbed a taxi to Robinson's. I told the driver to drop me at the Faura entrance. I should have been paying attention to Faura street. When the driver dropped me, I walkeded across Faura and was walking towards the taxi drop-off area in front of the entrance, oblivious. A hand stopped me. "No entry sir". It was a military-uniform police officer. Yellow tape was run along the sidewalk, chest-high, for as far as I could see in the direction of Taft Ave. Looking to my right, towards Roxas, same. It was 11 am.

People were streaming out of the mall from the exit doors. Nobody was attempting to go inside the entry (guard) doors. I walked towards Roxas. Heavily armed police and contagion-garbed DOH personell were there directing pedestrians thru a bullhorn. I continued west along Faura, crossing Adriatico. More yellow tape. Passed the old G-Point. Got to Mabini and stopped to take some pics (below).

Pic #1, corner Faura / Mabini, looking east along Faura. Red arrow is the old G-Point. Notice the yellow tape, nobody on the G-Point side of the tape, others walking on the street side. Pic #2, I turned right 90 degrees, looking south along Mabini. Same, yellow tape, nobody in the business side, pedestrians in the street. Red arrow is City-State Tower hotel. Pic #3, I stepped across Mabini to the City-State side, looking at the Faura / Mabini corner. My residence guard said the next day that it was still locked down. Pic #4 (from Wastebook today), to show the difference in announced lockdown levels in the various cities, as just announced. MECQ = most strict of the three, GCQ is a medium strictness, and I think MGCQ is the least restrictive of them (correct me if I am wrong).

From the time I walked down the street in the morning (8 am-ish), till I got back around 11, they had closed and were clearing the mall, and they'd cordoned off the mall and surrounding block, and had personnel out for enforcement.

When I was in the province, my several regulars would come see me and bring me pics of similar yellow-taped closings. I'd see on the news that this or that Brgy had separate lockdowns s going on. My girl would txt to say her compound and the neighboring compound were yellow-tape locked down, and she might not be able to come the next day unless the lockdown is lifted (often they were 24 or 48 hour locks). "F*ck sake we can't leave our home even". Both the advanced-announced and sudden lockdowns continue to happen. I think westerners don't have these kinds of things. Again, non-mongering friendly. Good news: things have lightened some in Manila.

Sudden local lockdowns, in addition to announced strict city-wide edicts, mean that you must be creative to play the game, and on some days (or weeks) nothing works. Your Brgy block gets locked for 2 days. Then when that's finished you plan to have that new dating site hottie meet for some joy, but then her compound gets locked. After that she has her period. You are only here for 2 weeks, fella. Point-and-shoot barfines are gone: Learn to adapt, and do it in a way that doesn't offend the nice people here who aren't in the Burgos-type business.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2564797]You are only here for 2 weeks, fella. Point-and-shoot barfines are gone: Learn to adapt, and do it in a way that doesn't offend the nice people here who aren't in the Burgos-type business.[/QUOTE]In a way it has added a new dimension to poverty poon.

I guess it might also be possible that the Filipina gets stranded outside her barangay and nice BrizLad is forced to give her accommodations for a few days. Of course that would be another complication.

Now this reminds me of two different AC girls from my history there. At different times they would be on their "off" days from their work and stay over at my place. I guess they told their families they had extended work meanwhile happy to hang out while I worked and be my dinner and bed companion. (of course this is different to having a person stay over that actually would prefer to be back in their barangay.)

For those of you waiting with packed bags to go to the Philippines, it seems that establishing the veracity of the vaccine certificate is the major stumbling block for the Department of Tourism (DOT).

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/31/2102017/dot-looking-ways-verify-vaccine-certificates[/URL]

DOT is seeking help from the IATA. The so-called Green Lane will still have quarantine, but for 7 days only (instead of the current 14 days).

Has anyone here used the IATA Travel Pass app? It has a Digital Passport module for vaccination certification, but the access is currently by "invitation only".

[URL]https://www.iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/iata-travel-pass-for-travelers/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2565024]For those of you waiting with packed bags to go to the Philippines, it seems that establishing the veracity of the vaccine certificate is the major stumbling block for the Department of Tourism (DOT).

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/31/2102017/dot-looking-ways-verify-vaccine-certificates[/URL]

DOT is seeking help from the IATA. The so-called Green Lane will still have quarantine, but for 7 days only (instead of the current 14 days).

Has anyone here used the IATA Travel Pass app? It has a Digital Passport module for vaccination certification, but the access is currently by "invitation only".

[URL]https://www.iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/iata-travel-pass-for-travelers/[/URL][/QUOTE]The problem here—perhaps unsurprising—is that as soon as the various localities started issuing vaccine certifications, forgeries became available on the gray market. Not only that, but each location appears to have designed and generated its own version of a certification document. Mine, here in Davao, is a simple white card, with no picture, with the logos of various organizations printed, together with my name, birthdate, date of vaccination, vaccine manufacturer and lot number. A friend in CdO has a card that includes his picture and which looks much more "official. " Another friend in Makati also has a non-picture certification card, but one that looks different from mine. So, much like the US, there's virtually no standardization of certification documents which means that the forgery market must be booming. On the plus side of the ledger, it's getting ever easier to get vaccinated here, but on the debit side, a huge percentage of the population is extremely reluctant to get vaccinated due to a lack of information, fear of injections or both.

GE.

Will foreign tourists (and returning Filipinos) with completed vaccination be still subjected to quarantine? There seems to be inconsistent reports, sometimes from the same reporter & newspaper.

On May 22, Elijah Rosales wrote in The Philippine Star:

"the DOT said the creation of a green lane can allow immunized foreigners to travel to the Philippines without the need to undergo the required quarantine ".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/22/2100001/dot-proposes-green-lane-vaccinated-foreigners[/URL]

On May 30, Romeo Limpangog wrote in The Freeman:

"With the green lane, DOT said, immunized foreigners need not have to undergo the required quarantine".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2021/05/30/2101830/high-time-reassess-entry-foreign-tourists-chan[/URL]

On May 31, Elijah Rosales wrote in The Philippine Star the following, contradicting her earlier writing:

"Through the green lane, returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and foreign nationals who completed their vaccination will just need to quarantine for seven days, from 14 days at present, to enter the Philippines".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/31/2102017/dot-looking-ways-verify-vaccine-certificates[/URL]

Bottom Line: It's not clear if Green Lane will have no quarantine or seven days of quarantine.

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2565044]Will foreign tourists (and returning Filipinos) with completed vaccination be still subjected to quarantine? There seems to be inconsistent reports, sometimes from the same reporter & newspaper.

On May 22, Elijah Rosales wrote in The Philippine Star:

"the DOT said the creation of a green lane can allow immunized foreigners to travel to the Philippines without the need to undergo the required quarantine ".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/22/2100001/dot-proposes-green-lane-vaccinated-foreigners[/URL]

On May 30, Romeo Limpangog wrote in The Freeman:

"With the green lane, DOT said, immunized foreigners need not have to undergo the required quarantine".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2021/05/30/2101830/high-time-reassess-entry-foreign-tourists-chan[/URL]

On May 31, Elijah Rosales wrote in The Philippine Star the following, contradicting her earlier writing:

"Through the green lane, returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and foreign nationals who completed their vaccination will just need to quarantine for seven days, from 14 days at present, to enter the Philippines".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/31/2102017/dot-looking-ways-verify-vaccine-certificates[/URL]

Bottom Line: It's not clear if Green Lane will have no quarantine or seven days of quarantine.[/QUOTE]It's my understanding that the recently-published news about opening the country sometime this month remains more of an objective than a realized goal. The most thorough article I've read on the subject indicated that rules and procedures are still being formulated, and that might account for the inconsistency in reporting. My best guess is that an expedited process will be established for fully vaccinated travelers from a specific list of countries, though I'm not sure which countries will be on the list.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2565077]It's my understanding that the recently-published news about opening the country sometime this month remains more of an objective than a realized goal. The most thorough article I've read on the subject indicated that rules and procedures are still being formulated, and that might account for the inconsistency in reporting. My best guess is that an expedited process will be established for fully vaccinated travelers from a specific list of countries, though I'm not sure which countries will be on the list.

GE.[/QUOTE]You are right GE regarding the evolving process. I see several forces pushing the government towards opening up for tourism:

1. The economy is in bad shape. Tourism accounted for 10% of GDP and employed millions. Hotel, restaurants, transportationthe entire tourism infrastructure with high asset burden is difficult to preserve. Instead of tax revenue, government is losing money in handouts.

2. Thailand was planning to open its tourist attraction from July, with no quarantine requirement. European countries are opening for Americans and for each other. It presents a safe model for the Philippines and puts pressure on the government to do something.

3. Du30 needs cash badly for the next year's election handouts.

Of course, there are reasons for caution also:

1. The recent rise of Covid in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesiaall neighboring ASEAN countriesmust be a reason to worry. The images from India don't help either and serve as a warning against rushed opening.

2. Verifying who has been vaccinated, is a mess. It is unlikely that a universal system will emerge. Digital Green Certificate (Europe), Green Pass (Israel), Coronapas (Denmark), Excelsior (New York) there are as many passes as countries. As GE pointed out before, even in the Philippines, different regions have different vaccine certificate. If the fake pass leads to a rise in virus, it will be unfortunate.

3. Philippines is way behind in the vaccination, the only certain way to bring down the disease. Covax, a major supplier of vaccine for Philippines, went dry because Indians were supplying 85% of their vaccine and they can no longer send vaccines to Covax while their own house is on fire. The supply from Thailand also got delayed because the new factory can not get its act together. The current vaccination, roughly 1% of population, is not going to make much difference. Vaccine hesitancy is another major problem, thanks in part to the Sanofi Dengue vaccine fiasco four years ago.

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2565140]...1. The economy is in bad shape. Tourism accounted for 10% of GDP and employed millions...[/QUOTE]Actually ALOT worst than you think it is. GDP is down 41% $37 b just went poof in 2020 and 2021 is on the way to being worst because of the lack of government funding could see job losses double.

What does this mean for the average monger? We are in for a treat and extremely beautiful women when we return. Lots of covid babies and guys with no jobs to support them so this means these hotties need to find a job. The (old) women who were holding down the fort in AC will be relegated to working elsewhere and for a lesser bar fine. I predict we start to see 8-9-10's again in AC instead of what we were seeing pre covid girls in the 6-7-8 area. I think we see a resurgence of LT GFE as for these bar girls to lock in multi day bar fines. As western tourists likely to be let in first we will have the pick of the litter when they reopen to tourists.

Philippines just doesn't want to be first, If another country opens they will follow suit. So watch the Olympics and watch Thailand reopen hopefully without a kerfuffle, phils should follow suit regardless of the situation due to not wanting to lose another $37 b.

At this point I am ok with a 7 day quarantine if they will let me loose on all the 10's that await. 14 days is way too long but 7 is doable. Anyone know if they allow groceries deliveries in quarantine? I am not very keen on eating the food they prepare for me.

"PH travel, tourism sector lost $37 b, 2 m jobs in 2020".

[URL]https://manilastandard.net/business/economy-trade/356121/ph-travel-tourism-sector-lost-37b-2m-jobs-in-2020.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2565044]Will foreign tourists (and returning Filipinos) with completed vaccination be still subjected to quarantine? [/QUOTE]They are just talking about this, They will copy paste whatever country figures it out. So no real reason to follow them too closely they are looking externally for their guidance so should you. Phils is not going to be writing any policy ( & we don't WANT them to either because "face shields") they are waiting for someone else to do it successfully as the catalyst to reopen imo.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2565182]

What does this mean for the average monger? We are in for a treat and extremely beautiful women when we return. [/QUOTE]I like your optimism, even under these circumstances. You are right about the desperation setting in. In all my communication with the locals, I sense that.

If the Philippines is going to wait and see how the Japan Olympics and Thai opening up turns out, we are looking in to August and beyond.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2565182] I predict we start to see 8-9-10's again in AC instead of what we were seeing pre covid girls in the 6-7-8 area. I think we see a resurgence of LT GFE as for these bar girls to lock in multi day bar fines. As western tourists likely to be let in first we will have the pick of the litter when they reopen to tourists.[/QUOTE]My prediction is that AC will not be our next mongering destination. Pre-covid it was already a shadow of it's former self. Most people on here think it is a shithole, hate the long drive, have problems getting connections into Clark etc. City is changing as the call center & BPO industries have boomed even in covid and the acceptance of online workers. Hotels and venues will have been un-maintained for years by the time we return.

What do we really want? Hotel choices, supply of babes, cold beer, avoiding Manila traffic. A nicer seaside area like Mactan Island could be an alternative. Or Mandaue area could emerge as viable alternatives.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2565256]A nicer seaside area like Mactan Island could be an alternative. Or Mandaue area could emerge as viable alternatives.[/QUOTE]I hate Cebu for some personal reasons. Cebu has a very weird view of the pay to play business, The first time ever went to Cebu's Mango ave was ripe with street walkers and the girly bars were poppin. Cebu kind of went backwards in that regard and kind of ruined mango ave and mongering in general. The last time I went to cebu was horrible, the last bar fine I had there they made you wait outside for the girl and they would usher you into a taxi. The monger scene in general in cebu got to a frustration point with me.

The reason why AC will never die is because its a shithole. The same thing you see as a hassle is the reason why it makes such a great mongering destination. There is ample transportation from the provinces to Dau and clark for easy domestic travel for the girls. The girls are offered a measure of anonymity due to the foreigner focused business. In other destinations like cebu you have to go to restaurants and business that cater to non mongers, in AC you live kind of in a bubble where everyone is either a working girl or monger. Philipino girls are "shy" so this bubble gives them some security or what they perceive as security, no shame in AC towards bar girls and their "customers". The girls in AC often times tell their parents they work in manila since it is close, if you look at bar girls facebook profiles it will say they work in manila most likely. There is are also business (clothes, food, hair, boarding houses, that often "utang" for new girls) that specifically cater to bar girls in AC. Places like Subic could easily overtake but it has a giant problem a highway runs through it (can't get too wasted because you risk death if you wander to far out into the road). Like it or not AC is still the perfect destination for mongering for the foreseeable future imo. Freelancers which I see as a more advanced form of mongering there are better destinations, but for pure bar girl type mongering AC isn't going where any time soon.

Also when AC seems to be going down hill, there is always another sucker who is willing to risk their retirement opening a bar. It happens in waves Westerners, Japanese, Korean, Chinese. AC for whatever reason is very resilient. Endless stream of eager investors.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2565270]I hate Cebu for some personal reasons. Cebu has a very weird view of the pay to play business, The first time ever went to Cebu's Mango ave was ripe with street walkers and the girly bars were poppin. Cebu kind of went backwards in that regard and kind of ruined mango ave and mongering in general. The last time I went to cebu was horrible, the last bar fine I had there they made you wait outside for the girl and they would usher you into a taxi. The monger scene in general in cebu got to a frustration point with me.[/QUOTE]Cebu is in a league by itself with regard to mongering. Generally you meet girls online chatting and there is no shame in asking for sex. Many agree for money. I have met and had lots of fun with many I met online. Some even introduced their friends. These are not bargirls but it is well known in Cebu that there are plenty of foreigners who will take care of girls. So it is easy to find. But like any normal girl you need to play the dating game. Not all girls are willing to jump into the bed with you. They need to like you first. Money alone will not get them. My method is if you chat with many few will like you. Some are real sweethearts who I have taken on beach vacations. Some I continue to see even now although they are older and out of my preferred age group.

I have also had many girls who traveled from the provinces to be with me. There were few scammers as well. It is part of the risk you take. To be honest I have never gone to any go go bars in Cebu. I have met some girls at Ayala mall.

It is true some girls do not want to be seen with a foreigner because sometimes their family will find out which is a shame for them. There some very pretty girls who have Korean sponsors and they did not want to go outside together to risk the pipeline running dry. But in the hotel anything goes.

This is why I like Cebu.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2565286]Cebu is in a league by itself with regard to mongering. Generally you meet girls online chatting and there is no shame in asking for sex. Many agree for money. I have met and had lots of fun with many I met online. Some even introduced their friends. These are not bargirls but it is well known in Cebu that there are plenty of foreigners who will take care of girls. So it is easy to find. But like any normal girl you need to play the dating game. Not all girls are willing to jump into the bed with you. They need to like you first. Money alone will not get them. My method is if you chat with many few will like you. Some are real sweethearts who I have taken on beach vacations. Some I continue to see even now although they are older and out of my preferred age group.

I have also had many girls who traveled from the provinces to be with me. There were few scammers as well. It is part of the risk you take. To be honest I have never gone to any go go bars in Cebu. I have met some girls at Ayala mall.

It is true some girls do not want to be seen with a foreigner because sometimes their family will find out which is a shame for them. There some very pretty girls who have Korean sponsors and they did not want to go outside together to risk the pipeline running dry. But in the hotel anything goes.

This is why I like Cebu.[/QUOTE]I didn't like the mongering scene there. To be honest, I liked Manila the best simply because that's where I found the hottest girls per my tastes. At clubs like Kojax and PlanB. Generally speaking, I'm not attracted to most Asian girls, so it's always a challenge for me to find somebody I like who is Asian. I had the most success in Manila, and the least in Cebu (went with nobody). AC was in the middle.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2565270]I hate Cebu for some personal reasons. Cebu has a very weird view of the pay to play business, [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Sammon;2565286]Cebu is in a league by itself with regard to mongering. [/QUOTE]Quite a few of the gals posted in the PG are Cebuanas. Errrr. . . That's the chismosa that I hear.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2565286]Cebu is in a league by itself with regard to mongering. Not all girls are willing to jump into the bed with you. They need to like you first. Money alone will not get them.[/QUOTE]I can vouch for that! Most girls in Cebu jump away from the bed, as soon as they see me. But then, they need fare to go back home. And they like Jollibees. And their Pinoy BFs rarely buys them dresses or chocolates. So they forget that they don't like me. And they jump right back into the bed. Without clothes.

Cebuanas are beautiful. You can also extend your "reach" by inviting girls from Leyte, Samar, Bohol and Negros. Just a few hours of travel by bus / boat. You just needs to invest time and a bit of generosity. The farther they come from, the more devoted and loving thy become. Think of it as Chica's Law of Attraction.

Sitting in Ayala in a coffee shop, you can find more beautiful girls than in Mango Sq. In fact, me and my Cebuana GF used to play this game where we sat alone away from each other in Bo's cafe. To see whether a foreigner hits on her first or a hooker comes to get me. She always won. So if you talk to a beautiful girl in Ayala and she seems uninterested, look for me. And stop hitting on my GF.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2565286]To be honest I have never gone to any go go bars in Cebu.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2565294]You just needs to invest time and a bit of generosity.[/QUOTE]You guys actually proved my point where Cebu is more of a dating, freelancer and hook up island. In some ways this can be fulfilling but I don't see Cebu turning into the monger hotspot that outshines AC in terms of bar girls.

I mean I know you guys love Cebu but like I said for some personal reasons including death threats, LOL. Cebu can be a particularly heated environment at least in my experience, especially when you start to pull girls that are not explicitly in the sex industry. Their family in the barangays are like old school clans and have ties to the military ect. I have done the mall and normal girl pick up routine in Cebu I had a lot of success, all of the girls I met and called to my room leapt into bed with me almost immediately. This one girl I met on a layover I only had half a day and she met me at the hotel we were bumping uglys within 5 minutes of getting in the door. What came after was months of her stalking me. I have had more than a few run ins with level 5 clingers in Cebu and I have just given up on the place to be honest. After all the threats I received and stalking I'm 100% over Cebu. I monger all over the world and cebu is different in some way. They are all yours guys good luck.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2565301]
Cebu can be a particularly heated environment at least in my experience, especially when you start to pull girls that are not explicitly in the sex industry. Their family in the barangays are like old school clans and have ties to the military ect. [/QUOTE]MM, your post made me laugh and it made me jealous at the same time. I wish I was such a desirable "catch" that girl won't let me go and her clan will be out to kill me. In my case, the girl probably will miss only my money and gifts and the old school clan will say, good riddance.

You know that AC is a risky place too. Lewis Yakich, owner of the Lewis Grand Hotel and High Society bar disappeared and was never found. This guy was well connected. Google "Murder in Angeles city" and see how many hits you get.

Don't get me wrong, I liked occasional visit to AC. But over the years, talent kept going downhill. The recent trend in Korean ownership and then destroying all the fun for the rest of us is well documented on AC thread. My last few visits, I brought my own girl because she liked the vibe of High Society. I still bemoan its closure, but it is no competition for Cebu. I love Cebu because of its laid back, clean, small-town feel. And I can get out to so many fun places nearby to explore nature.

Looks like they are saying officially down from 10 to 7 days quarantine still no tourists, I'm ok with 7 let me in! Maybe I should look up one of the 100's of bar girls that told me I have a kid to get me in with the balikbayan visa.

"Fully vaccinated travellers will now only need to stay in a quarantine facility for seven days, down from 10 days, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. ".

"Philippines eases quarantine rules for fully vaccinated travellers".

[URL]https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/06/04/philippines-eases-quarantine-rules-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers[/URL]

[QUOTE=Sammon;2565286]Cebu is in a league by itself with regard to mongering.

This is why I like Cebu.[/QUOTE]I agree Sammon, and can't see why some of the posters hate it or scared of it. Must have had such a bad experience.

Manila and AC are my least favourite main cities so we all have different flavours.

As Westie said 'some' of the girls in the PG are Cebuana LOL And if you don't like Asian girls go elsewhere and leave them for people who appreciate them.

As for bars. I never go unless am with a friend who wants to see what it is all about (which IMHO is nothing much as all LOL). Friend of the Cebuanos, their cousins and sisters all work for me (and Sammon I assume) and why Cebu is a great place for WR.

[QUOTE=Gunners1;2566022]Guys. Would you be able to move these discussions to the general information forum. Peace out. G.[/QUOTE]Good call, G. Done.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2565958]That is more if an indicator of where their health systems fail, testing backlogs or lack of testing rather than a measure of covid.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2565949]My apology. Let's start with source data. SNIP It is at this point I wish I had some decent pics to post of my filipina morsels. BL.[/QUOTE]Got you covered there with the pic big fella.

Damn I miss Filipina vag.

Here are the contact details for Dalia Dippolito, prisoner no W42222, Lowell Annex, Florida [URL]http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=W42222&TypeSearch=AI[/URL].

She is due for release in 2032 when she will be 50.

Dalia is a former hooker who is doing time for hiring a hitman to off her husband, who she was shaking down big time. Dalia used men like men use throw away toilet paper. Hookers like Dalia are the reason many men become serial killers. When you are with a hooker, you are with a Dalia. No matter how loving they may be to their families, and no matter how good they may be in the sack, they are Dalias.

By all means, bugger them and cum in their asses. Be polite to them. But let them return to their trike drivers and cuckolded husbands to get on with their lives and you get on with yours.

One of my own fears is I might hook up with a hooker who then becomes a victim of a serial killer or one of the other killers that chill out with such women, that the cops will find my number asking for her services when they check her phone and I will be pulled in.

Sure, swimming in shitt might be nice. But you have to shower and be hosed down. And don't bring filth home with you. This is so even if all they do all they long is cook chicken adobo and watch cartoons as they jerk you off.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2565914]I agree Sammon, and can't see why some of the posters hate it or scared of it. Must have had such a bad experience.

Manila and AC are my least favourite main cities so we all have different flavours.

As Westie said 'some' of the girls in the PG are Cebuana LOL And if you don't like Asian girls go elsewhere and leave them for people who appreciate them.

As for bars. I never go unless am with a friend who wants to see what it is all about (which IMHO is nothing much as all LOL). Friend of the Cebuanos, their cousins and sisters all work for me (and Sammon I assume) and why Cebu is a great place for WR.[/QUOTE]For those so inclined, Cebu is hands down the online mongering capital of the Philippines. Everything from curious college girls to filthy hoes is available.

Not all girls in Cebu are cebuana or even bisaya. Many have gone for work or school from all over the archipelago, often with the advantage of no nosey parents or family watching their every move.

I'd agree that the one downside is that Cebu bars truely suck.

Don't forget that 'cebu' refers to both the city and the, very large, province. A trap for beginners is to be chatting to someone from 'cebu' to find she is a nine hour drive away.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2566098]Here are the contact details for Dalia Dippolito, prisoner no W42222, Lowell Annex, Florida [URL]http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=W42222&TypeSearch=AI[/URL].

.............................................

One of my own fears is I might hook up with a hooker who then becomes a victim of a serial killer or one of the other killers that chill out with such women, that the cops will find my number asking for her services when they check her phone and I will be pulled in.

Sure, swimming in shitt might be nice. But you have to shower and be hosed down. And don't bring filth home with you. This is so even if all they do all they long is cook chicken adobo and watch cartoons as they jerk you off.[/QUOTE]What a lot of bullshit. If that is what you believe, then stay away from hookers. More safe at home.

[QUOTE=AskeAske;2566492]What a lot of bullshit. If that is what you believe, then stay away from hookers. More safe at home.[/QUOTE][URL]https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5266&context=etd[/URL]

[URL]https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1536504218776961[/URL]

Links above to a PhD and an academic paper on serial killers offing hookers, plus explanations on why hookers are often targeted. Pattaya is full of ex pat crims. Dalia Dippolito needs you. Prisons are full of tarts with hearts. Dalia is an important lesson for those with positive IQs. But hey folk like you like Las Vegas sex, where the bank always wins.

With Ph off the travel options I have been spending my money on the local scene here in Au.

The missing parts that I cannot replace:

On call pussy waiting in my room when I get home.

On call pussy when I wake up.

Pussy to chase when it suits me, after work or weekends.

Out local asian massage places are nice for on call pussy but they do see so many cocks it plays on my mind.

The part of my Ph adventures is the availability of pussy at any time. The 7-11 pickup, the shopping mall wink, all things that a 55+ doesn't get in Australia.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2566602]The missing parts that I cannot replace:

On call pussy waiting in my room when I get home. On call pussy when I wake up. [/QUOTE]Like in the pic. Some warm, brown mocha to wake up to in the morning. Someone to suck your eggs, then fry you some. Gotcha.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2566602]the shopping mall wink, [/QUOTE]And they are back. For about 3 weeks, Robinson's Place Malate. Several on the steps outside Arya resto on Pedro Gil in the evenings. 2-4 or so inside, near the Starbucks (better looking than pre-covid). Not a lot of foreigners to take them.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2566602]
The part of my Ph adventures is the availability of pussy at any time. The 7-11 pickup, the shopping mall wink, all things that a 55+ doesn't get in Australia.[/QUOTE]You couldn't pay me enough to fuck an American woman now days, when I was younger I was ok with over the hill hookers in MPs but I can't do it any more. Local hookers here want a deposit upfront and a background check so that is not happening. I get hit on 0 times in America in phils I think I get hit on in literally hours of arriving. Here I don't get called handsome and my penis is normal size. When I arrive in Phils my cock grows 6 inches and miraculously become a sex god (I have no need for Cialis in America but I eat them like tic tacs in phils because I use my penis as a divining rod.), I also become 10 years younger when people ask me and on arrival become a billionaire. I gain pick up artist skills I never knew I had and have to sadly turn down pussy because there is only so much time in the day. Saying that I miss the Philippines is a giant understatement. It really is "More Fun in the Philippiness".

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2566637]SNIP I have no need for Cialis in America but I eat them like tic tacs in phils because I use my penis as a divining rod[/QUOTE]Funniest line of the year. Some guys can find moisture below the ground with it. MM uses his to draw out the moisture from below her belt.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2566637]SNIP and have to sadly turn down pussy because there is only so much time in the day. [/QUOTE]Its my biggest problem. "Damn that Karen. She's always calling and wanting to come over and bang my brains out. Be**tch!" <- Said no one ever in the US. OTOH, in Phils, you might find yourself needing several rest days each week.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2566637]Saying that I miss the Philippines is a giant understatement. [/QUOTE]Attached pic, chocolate taco from a 22 yo, to warm your cockels of your. . . Heart. She's waiting for you MM.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2567117]Heart. She's waiting for you MM.[/QUOTE]Thanks, I hope these girls are ready for me.

On more positive news it looks like the US is preparing to reopen international travel or at least allow it and this looks like a precursor to other countries allowing tourists. This might have been what most countries were waiting for.

I am debating buying a ticket as tickets may skyrocket on news of phils reopening. At this point its a pure gamble in terms of what month to shoot for.

"US lowers travel warning to PH, urges full vaccination before trip".

[URL]https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/6/9/United-States-travel-Philippines-COVID.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2566535][URL]https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5266&context=etd[/URL]

[URL]https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1536504218776961[/URL]

Links above to a PhD and an academic paper on serial killers offing hookers, plus explanations on why hookers are often targeted. Pattaya is full of ex pat crims. Dalia Dippolito needs you. Prisons are full of tarts with hearts. Dalia is an important lesson for those with positive IQs. But hey folk like you like Las Vegas sex, where the bank always wins.[/QUOTE]It's not quite clear what your argument is in this and your previous post. If you intention was to counter AA's reply to you, these two papers in this post don't do it. In your previous post you seem to focus on this woman, Dalia Dippolito, a seemingly deranged Florida hooker who wanted her husband killed for his money. These two academic papers are about the dangers faced by sex workers. The masters thesis is not very coherent; it focuses on how sex worker advocacy groups "socially construct" understanding about sex workers. The published article argues that sex workers are in greater danger than other women because the police and others don't invest resources in protecting them or pursuing the serial killers that sometimes target them.

In other words, these two papers do not reinforce each other, and neither seems to relate to your message in the Dippolito post. I'm not sure that a reply to AA is going to work out very well.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2566602]Out local asian massage places are nice for on call pussy but they do see so many cocks it plays on my mind.[/QUOTE]If Oz is like the states, they're also very clock conscious. (Near slip of the typing fingers there.) We often complain about Pinays showing up late because they're on Filipino time. But Filipino time has its benefits, especially when you get a Pinay into your hotel room or condo. It strikes me that one of the dimensions of GFE in the Phils is the near absence of clock-watching. I have found that Filipino time has other soft linings.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2567381]On more positive news it looks like the US is preparing to reopen international travel or at least allow it and this looks like a precursor to other countries allowing tourists. This might have been what most countries were waiting for.

I am debating buying a ticket as tickets may skyrocket on news of phils reopening. At this point its a pure gamble in terms of what month to shoot for. [/QUOTE]There are reports of elevated numbers of unruly passenger incidents and fights--including hitting cabin attendants--on several US carriers' flights.

[URL]https://www.traveldailymedia.com/unruly-passengers-on-planes/[/URL]

In addition to initial surge in prices, you might want to wait until our countrymen (and women) get this stuff worked out of their systems.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2567426]It's not quite clear what your argument is in this and your previous post. If you intention was to counter AA's reply to you, these two papers in this post don't do it. In your previous post you seem to focus on this woman, Dalia Dippolito, a seemingly deranged Florida hooker who wanted her husband killed for his money. These two academic papers are about the dangers faced by sex workers. The masters thesis is not very coherent; it focuses on how sex worker advocacy groups "socially construct" understanding about sex workers. The published article argues that sex workers are in greater danger than other women because the police and others don't invest resources in protecting them or pursuing the serial killers that sometimes target them.

In other words, these two papers do not reinforce each other, and neither seems to relate to your message in the Dippolito post. I'm not sure that a reply to AA is going to work out very well.[/QUOTE]The common thread is it is a human swamp around hookers. When you marry a hooker, you marry Dalia. We all know of lots of little Dalias in SE Asia and most of us have seen guys losing their brains and more over a hooker. There is a good post below on the benefits of on call pussy in SE Asia but the poster makes the mistake that SE Asian hookers are somehow purer than hookers in Ossie land which is pure nonsense.

The advantage of SE Asia is a cheap holiday with cheap attractions. Anyone who thinks Disneyland / Pussyland is real is a loser. It is a Casino of working girls, complete with addicted and fkked up punters. Best just to dip the wick, pay to have the STIs cured and return home.

I was going to post this in the Thai section [URL]https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-57404078[/URL] a BBC puff piece on Thailand polishing up to get punters back. Heaven help them when the first wave of drunks arrive. Here in Europe, the young are out of control, with drinking, drugs and rave parties. I'll let the Sex Everglades pass for now and ration my visit to diseased local wells in the mean time.

The lockdowns have divided the wise virgins, the folk with money, from the pack. The wise virgins have done up their houses and so on with the money they didn't blow on holidays. The others are into soup kitchens. Hopefully, this might lead to a better class of traveller. We just have to wait and see what kind of tourist folk are prioritised: losers who spend $$ on flat screen TVs, booze and LB FMs, back packers or married women who spend big.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2567381]Thanks, I hope these girls are ready for me.

On more positive news it looks like the US is preparing to reopen international travel or at least allow it and this looks like a precursor to other countries allowing tourists. This might have been what most countries were waiting for.

I am debating buying a ticket as tickets may skyrocket on news of phils reopening. At this point its a pure gamble in terms of what month to shoot for.

"US lowers travel warning to PH, urges full vaccination before trip".

[URL]https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/6/9/United-States-travel-Philippines-COVID.html[/URL][/QUOTE]You might want to wait a while prior to booking, unless you're positive you can get a refund or change ticketing dates at no charge. New COVID cases are soaring in some areas, and, much like in the US, local governments are finding some resistance among the population to getting vaccinated. In addition to some surges, the ensuing government responses are often confusing and are resulting in the closure (again) of multiple genres of establishments, including restaurants, bars and other gathering places. In addition, local restrictions on the movement of people from barangay to barangay are often confusing, differ from location to location and change frequently. Thus, it may sometimes be difficult for your latest love interest to visit you easily.

About 2 or 3 weeks ago the national Department of Health and the Department of Tourism did publish a paper indicating that they wanted to start opening the country to fully vaccinated citizens from selected countries, and two do so by the end of this month. However, no implementing rules and regulations have been published to my knowledge, and there's been no further public announcement other than a decision to allow SRRV visa holders back into the country. I live in Davao, have been fully vaccinated here in the Philippines, and am making plans to meet friends who live in various places around to country in Angeles in late August. We're all holding off on booking flights because the rules are so unclear and also because the schedules for internal flights change so frequently, as do rules pertaining to whether negative COVID tests are required and whether any quarantining will prove necessary.

Succinctly, there's simply no clear picture yet emerging that could provide guidance for tourists.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2567461]You might want to wait a while prior to booking, unless you're positive you can get a refund or change ticketing dates at no charge. Succinctly, there's simply no clear picture yet emerging that could provide guidance for tourists..[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2567433]In addition to initial surge in prices, you might want to wait until our countrymen (and women) get this stuff worked out of their systems.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2567381]I am debating buying a ticket as tickets may skyrocket on news of phils reopening. At this point its a pure gamble in terms of what month to shoot for.[/QUOTE]Agree with the other fellas. Wait till the flood subsides. Even when they talk of opening up, they often limit the number of Int'l passengers on a daily basis for a while. Don't buy a ticket in advance. GE is right, things change rapidly here. Also you wait until you are here to buy any domestic airline tickets. Travel rules change constantly from one city to another, with every bloom. A couple I know in Malate (no kids) wants to move back to his province an hour south of Manila. The wife had Covid and got over it months ago. She has a document that says she got over the Covid. Yet she can not travel without another special document. More than a month has passed waiting for it. She and the hubby have enlisted the help of their Brgy captain, he was able to speed up the process to get the document. You buy an airline ticket in advance, and then you can't travel from this place to that place due to a recent travel restriction, you just lose money. Wait till the foreigners come here for a while, see what happens to them first (don't be the tip of the spear, so to speak). Not trying to stop anyone from coming (Lord knows there is a glut of beauty here, and I could use some help), but the beauty will still be here anytime you come (an unlimited, naturally recurring supply). Its just that later (not sooner) you will have more access to it with fewer restrictions.

I'll keep the lights on for 'ya.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2567461]In addition, local restrictions on the movement of people from barangay to barangay are often confusing, differ from location to location and change frequently. [/QUOTE]Spot on, got more on this coming later.

Article regarding airline travel involving a husband / wife / child (wife is Filipina) with all the correct travel documents, denied boarding by Qatar Airways, and then later refused a refund.

[URL]https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/jun/09/qatar-airways-refused-us-a-refund-after-visa-mix-up-to-botswana[/URL]

A gentle reminder that even when you do everything right, things can go bad. And a gentle reminder that even when you do everything right (vaxed, vax passport), the rest of Philippines still operates under pandemic rules for public places, hotels / apartments / condos / restaurants, barangay, public (PUV, taxi, bus) and private transportation (you still have to wear your mask in a car) -- and these rules change from small to large geographic locations and they change quickly, sometimes announced and sometimes not announced. Even if the Phils government lightened up on some of the rules, there is still public fear of disease which borders on (or crosses into) superstition.

More coming later on how Brgy edicts can change, be more strict than federal or city proclamations, can change quickly, and can be largely unknown to the residents.

From the article:

[I]"Given that your sister-in-law was travelling on a Filipino passport, its possible to excuse the airline for insisting on extra checks; whats unacceptable is its refusal to refund either the original fare or the substitute tickets once it was found they did have the correct paperwork."[/I]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2567436]The common thread is it is a human swamp around hookers. [/QUOTE]I think most of us know there are risks in our involvement with sex workers. In late March a 21-year old kid killed eight people in three different AMPs in and near Atlanta, Georgia. Most were Korean women, but one male and one female patron were killed, and another man was wounded. The kid was apparently fighting some guilty demons about his "addiction" to prostitutes.

But how do these few incidents stack up against the number of deaths in traffic accidents? Following the same logic you should avoid vehicular travel or going outside during thunder storms. I will try to be more tactful than AA: if you think the risks are too great, maybe you should stop mongering.

Your example is an interesting one and one, alas, we quickly forget. A 21 year old kid has issues, so he blasts a gang of Asian hookers / massage therapists. Like wtf.

The flaw in your argument is classic whataboutery. Americans are afraid of terrorism, even though more of them get killed by forked lightning etc every year. The difference is Americans feel their name and nationality are on bullets when stuff starts happening. You cannot compare traffic accidents and serial killers. Your passing mention of thunder storms is not a good one as one must respect the elements which take no prisoners. Indeed, al lof the world's great hikes have examples of people dying for not respecting the elements and climbers on Everest now use cadavars as sign posts. The best sherpa get the best punters and the newbies get the OAPs who should be nowhere near Nepal, never mind Everest.

Dalia Dippolito is a warning to us all. But there are many Dalias in SE Asia, who never got a green card. As with Dalia, the sex can be great but it can also be deadly. This message cannot be said too often.

Here in the civilised world, ie Western Europe, there are small signs common sense, spear headed by Sweden, is winning. Denmark is cropping the face diapers and there is some push back against the vaccines (sic). I miss my LBFMs and regret not banging them longer, harder and deeper.

I think 2021 is a write off. There wil be some let up over the Northern summer and then back in to flu season with more draconian measures. At this rate, LBFM is permanently off the menu, which is a shame as a bad hour here buys a good week there.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2567872]I think most of us know there are risks in our involvement with sex workers. In late March a 21-year old kid killed eight people in three different AMPs in and near Atlanta, Georgia. Most were Korean women, but one male and one female patron were killed, and another man was wounded. The kid was apparently fighting some guilty demons about his "addiction" to prostitutes.

But how do these few incidents stack up against the number of deaths in traffic accidents? Following the same logic you should avoid vehicular travel or going outside during thunder storms. I will try to be more tactful than AA: if you think the risks are too great, maybe you should stop mongering.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2567879]
Dalia Dippolito is a warning to us all. But there are many Dalias in SE Asia, who never got a green card. [/QUOTE]This really has nothing to do with the Philippines can we move this tread to somewhere this belongs? Maybe the General Mongering Q&A section?

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2567879]
I think 2021 is a write off. There wil be some let up over the Northern summer and then back in to flu season with more draconian measures. At this rate, LBFM is permanently off the menu, which is a shame as a bad hour here buys a good week there.[/QUOTE]I am not (quite) ready to write off the remainder of the year as I have some faint optimism that the country will begin to open in early fall, at least to visitors who can prove they've been vaccinated fully. That appears to be the intention of the Department of Tourism and, while I'm not sure that the objective will be achieved, I do think there will be a sustained attempt on the part of the government to reach it. The vaccination program, at least in Davao where I live, is aggressive and reasonably efficient. Millions of doses of vaccines—largely AstraZeneca-Oxford and Sinovac—seem to be arriving every week and the government keeps opening additional vaccination sites. WC is correct in stating that the regulations and quarantine status of various locales change frequently and often abruptly, but this has to do with spikes in infections as far as I can determine.

As is the case with multiple other countries throughout the world, the government here must balance concern for public health against the pressing economic needs of families. Anyone who lives here can witness first hand the visible economic destruction induced by the pandemic: small businesses have closed by the thousands pushing more people out of work; schools remain shuttered exacerbating an already huge education deficit for young people without computer access; many government offices are operating at half-speed, and the list goes on and on. My guess is that, as vaccination efforts gain more momentum, and "essential" workers get vaccinated, the likelihood of a soft re-opening for foreigners from lower-risk countries and for those vaccinated fully, increases. I should add that I have no inside information, but I do read the local papers and I do observe the vaccination efforts first hand.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2567969]WC is correct in stating that the regulations and quarantine status of various locales change frequently and often abruptly, but this has to do with spikes in infections as far as I can determine.[/QUOTE]My info is the same. When someone tests positive in the brgy (often foretold with symptoms), the DOH isolates those persons, then often times locks down his home, or larger compound's group of homes, or part or all of the larger Brgy, often for just 1-2 days. They literally cordon off the area, nobody in / out. If you were outside at the time of the lockdown, you can go live somewhere else for a few days. If you were inside, you are not leaving unless its an essential departure (ie, medical).

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2567969]My guess is that, as vaccination efforts gain more momentum, and "essential" workers get vaccinated, [/QUOTE]Good news. I contacted my Brgy recently to ask the procedure to get vaxxed. I was told to come back when the nurse came back from lunch. She would have me fill out a health form, then she would make an appointment at a local hospital, and it would be free of charge. I asked how long it takes to get an appointment. "Today sir, this afternoon you can get a vaccine". Sweet.

Online recently I saw an ad that read as such: [I]"If you live in Brgy 520-531-602-603-619-705-706, you can get a free vaccine. You can contact your Brgy office for an appointment. You can get your appointment same day or next day. Before we are vaccinating front liner and seniors. Now everyone. For the community get vaccinated!"[/I] Sweet again, and easy. I don't know why other Brgy are not included (guessing, shortage of jabs currently). The slightly scary part is that these admissions that you can get vaxxed today (or tomorrow, which is relatively fast) leads to the impression that people are having misgivings about getting vaxxed. A shortage of jab supply (which exists here) should indicate long lines. By extrapolation, when there is a later surge of jabs available, few people will take advantage of it. Sad face. The more jabs that occur to persons here, the faster the easing of CQ restrictions.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2567979]
Good news. I contacted my Brgy recently to ask the procedure to get vaxxed. I was told to come back when the nurse came back from lunch. She would have me fill out a health form, then she would make an appointment at a local hospital, and it would be free of charge. I asked how long it takes to get an appointment. "Today sir, this afternoon you can get a vaccine". Sweet.
[/QUOTE]Evidently here in Davao, a number of senior citizens who had received their first shots failed to return for the second doses, so that might account in part for what appears to be somewhat of a surge in supply here. I'm somewhat surprised that you haven't yet received your vaccines given that my two friends on live in Makati got jabbed weeks ago, one with Sinovac and the other with AstraZeneca—Oxford. I thought that supplies in MetroManila were plentiful.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2567969]I am not (quite) ready to write off the remainder of the year as I have some faint optimism that the country will begin to open in early fall, at least to visitors who can prove they've been vaccinated fully.
GE.[/QUOTE]Problem is that these same visitors have to turn around and go back home. What do their home countries think of a vaccinated person immersing themselves in the Ph environment? Will western countries have the evidence, confidence or political power to allow a vaccinated citizen back into their pristine, crisp, first world air without a lengthy quarantine? It seems emergence from this pandemic is relying on all countries to pull together.

On Thursday I had one of my Ph front line worker twiglets telling me on whatsapp that her provincial mum will not get vaccinated as the mum doesn't like the side effects of the vaccine. If this attitude is permeating through provincial Ph then they will never get the virus under control. Hopefully the unvaccinated mum doesn't get the covid side effect of dying.

Like GE, I also remain optimistic that by the end of the year things will have evolved dramatically in countries with high vaccination rates. The travel opportunities will get promoted between these countries making it easier to travel between US-UK-AU-EU-CH (maybe). Governments will not see that same motivation to give mongers a free pass to Ph. Ph will be available provided you have the time and money to do a 14 day quarantine upon return.

Covid airfares certainly make a negative impact on our south-east asian pleasures. An airfare from her in Au to Mnl is $1 k more than pre-covid. Add the cost of quarantine $3 k. That makes a three week Ph visit airfares increase from $600 to $4,600. Factor in additional Ph 'covid' costs. I can stay here and have a lot of fun with the extra $6 k.

BL.

Within next three months it may or may not be clear if the vaccine protects 100 percent against covid for the purposes of our hobby who like to travel all over the globe and suck, dip, galavant with known or unknown girls who maybe carrying covid and other germs. Once limited travel is proven to be safe all countries will have to open their borders to vaccinated people. Quarantine will rob minimum 2 weeks from travel plans and nobody in their right mind will travel and quarantine unless they plan to stay in that country long time.

Not a lot of countries including here in USA can afford not to have tourism take a big hit let alone Philippines, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Panama, Colombia etc.

I believe CDC is taking a close look about travelers bring back covid or covid variants into the country. Only time will tell which should be max 3 months or less. If everything is good all countries will open up. There maybe forms to fill up, temperature check which already exists and other testing requirements. As long as there are no quarantine vaccinated people can travel freely. At the moment people are traveling with this requirement. Only issue is before CDC eliminates testing requirements to come back people are scared to go and get stuck in other countries which has happened.

Hopefully things will get back to reasonably normal by September if there are no major outbreaks. If there are another year of blue balls.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2568213]Problem is that these same visitors have to turn around and go back home. What do their home countries think of a vaccinated person immersing themselves in the Ph environment? [/QUOTE]The lockdowns hit here early last year somewhat suddenly. A lot of weekend warriors got out quickly. After lockdown, there were still quite a few here who had some difficulty getting out (sweeper flights; their 3 week trip turned into 6 or 8 weeks; a sweeper became available in your city only each few weeks, and if it filled up you waited for the next one). In addition, I saw some long-time residents here (multiple nationalities) head home. Most of those got home by June / July 2020. I stayed in contact with a number of them, and at no time was there a required quarantine for my returning country-men. They stepped off the airplane at LAX, went thru Immigration the normal way, picked up their luggage, and headed off to another terminal for their domestic flight to their home city; to be picked up by family or Uber home. To this day I believe there is no quarantine required for returning citizens. The only difference now is the required swab and temp checks for your outbound flight. One day when I fly home, I doubt there will be any quarantine just because I was overseas in Phils. The US recommends "self isolation":

[URL]https://www.afar.com/magazine/is-quarantine-required-for-entry-into-the-u-dot-s[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Well, an Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel signed by President Joe Biden on January 21 stated that all travelers entering the U.S. from a foreign country will now be required to comply with other applicable CDC guidelines concerning international travel, including recommended periods of self-quarantine or self-isolation after entry into the United States.

But during a January 26 media call, when asked about enforcement of the quarantine, Dr. Marty Cetron, director for the CDCs Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, said, Were not at this time issuing federal quarantine orders.[/I]

[QUOTE=Sammon;2568245]Within next three months it may or may not be clear if the vaccine protects 100 percent against covid for the purposes of our hobby who like to travel all over the globe and suck, dip, galavant with known or unknown girls who maybe carrying covid and other germs. Once limited travel is proven to be safe all countries will have to open their borders to vaccinated people. Quarantine will rob minimum 2 weeks from travel plans and nobody in their right mind will travel and quarantine unless they plan to stay in that country long time.[/QUOTE]Regarding quarantine and vaxxes. Regardless the vaccine you receive, a percent of those vaccinated are not protected; they end up contracting covid and getting sick (or die) from it, and they are for a period of time infectious. In addition, while vaxxed persons are usually immune from Covid's ravaging symptoms, those persons can contract it a-symptomatically and be infectious for a period of time. We all become possible walking incubators. For those reasons, I am guessing that the swab + short quarantine might become the conservative measures taken for some time to come (guessing: years).

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2568213]On Thursday I had one of my Ph front line worker twiglets telling me on whatsapp that her provincial mum will not get vaccinated as the mum doesn't like the side effects of the vaccine. If this attitude is permeating through provincial Ph then they will never get the virus under control. Hopefully the unvaccinated mum doesn't get the covid side effect of dying[/QUOTE]One of the Board members (MM possibly) mentioned a few weeks ago a survey, showing that only about half the adult population in Phils intended to get vaxxed. That percent rises only to about 65-70% in the States. Sadly, there will be no herd immunity, and until there is one, you have indefinite wildly cyclical CQ situations.

I continue to be amazed at the superstitions and fake-news items (usually from FB) that I've heard from locals here regarding the negatives of vaccines. Many purveyors of such bola offer up googled proof. Or, they simply rely on their own opinion of vaccines in general. Here are a few gems:

* The Covid vaccine magnetizes your blood, allowing the government to track and ego-locate you. No kidding a lady showed me that in FB. A lady told me that the Covid vaccines work in conjunction with 5 G cell towers; she read it on the internet. However we couldn't find that when we googled.

* The vax makes you more sick than Covid (opinion, can't argue with that). "That's what I hear".

* Its not for me. My mama don't want so I don't want (opinion, can't argue with that).

* Bill Gate's company made the virus and the vaccine long ago, sprung it on the world last year, and is making huge profit. Googled article shown to me. The article did not name a company that Bill Gates is involved with, so I asked the guy who showed me that article to tell me who Bill Gate is. "Rich guy". I see, does he have a big company? "Yes". What kind of company? "I don't know". A tech company? "I don't know". A pharmaceutical company? "I don't know". A dildo factory? "What?" Check. Kidding about that last question.

* I makes you sterile. The lady told me: "You can't have babies after the vaccine". I see, ma'am. "I won't get it I don't want sterile". Ma'am, you said that you are 72 years old! A week later one of my regulars asked if I was planning to get vaxxed. "Don't do it Westy you can't have more children". Interestingly, she was aware that I can't have children anyway. A month after that another one of my provincial regulars told me the same thing. When she walked thru my door she was brimming with energy and wanted to talk about the vaccine and becoming sterile. "I'm not do it. Don't do it Westy you will sorry after you don't have a kids". I dragged her to the bedroom and put her energy to better use.

* Covid isn't real. A lady said she'd read it in FB. Covid isn't real and if vaccines come later they are fake also. This was around June 2020, I haven't heard it since then from any pinoy. OTOH, I have heard it (and continue to hear it) from certain foreigners.

See the attachment.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2568281]Regarding quarantine and vaxxes. Regardless the vaccine you receive, a percent of those vaccinated are not protected; they end up contracting covid and getting sick (or die) from it, and they are for a period of time infectious. In addition, while vaxxed persons are usually immune from Covid's ravaging symptoms, those persons can contract it a-symptomatically and be infectious for a period of time. We all become possible walking incubators. For those reasons, I am guessing that the swab + short quarantine might become the conservative measures taken for some time to come (guessing: years).

* Covid isn't real. A lady said she'd read it in FB. Covid isn't real and if vaccines come later they are fake also. This was around June 2020, I haven't heard it since then from any pinoy. OTOH, I have heard it (and continue to hear it) from certain foreigners.[/QUOTE]Yes you can still catch it after being vaccinated after all the vaccine stimulates an immune response so there is always a possibility that the virus can linger while the body is trying to expell it. I have not seen any data on deaths after being vaccinated but the general feedback is that with the body's immune system prepared the symptoms are usually mild to nil.

I have had both doses and had mild to no reaction.

I had one girl writing to me telling me it was fake even though her sister had it. I guess because the sister did not get very sick she didn't see the problem. Another said she spent 2 weeks in hospital (22 yo) She complained no one was allowed to visit!

Covid rules for flying into the USA for both US and non US citizens.

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States:

[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html[/URL]

[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html[/URL]

I have no intention of flying to the USA. However, if I had, I would take notes from such official sites. I have non US citizen friends who neither have nor want a Green Card who have flown to the uSA in recent weeks and are there now on their own business. I presume they did due diligence before flying.

Vaccinated Cattle: I know plenty of qualified people warning against these shots, which are now being dispensed to children with God knows what long term results. I don't rely on sex sites like this or google for such information and you should not insinuate otherwise.

6079 Smith W.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2568281]The lockdowns hit here early last year somewhat suddenly. A lot of weekend warriors got out quickly. After lockdown, there were still quite a few here who had some difficulty getting out (sweeper flights; their 3 week trip turned into 6 or 8 weeks; a sweeper became available in your city * Covid isn't real. A lady said she'd read it in FB. Covid isn't real and if vaccines come later they are fake also. This was around June 2020, I haven't heard it since then from any pinoy. OTOH, I have heard it (and continue to hear it) from certain foreigners.[/QUOTE]

As most hunting grounds are closed due to the pandemic.

The girls have moved advertising their services online mostly on facebook as "walk" groups.

Some as low as 1 k for full service ($20 usd).

The higher end ones offer doing the deed in their own condo units.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2567879]You cannot compare traffic accidents and serial killers. [/QUOTE]Actually, you can. You have offered a series of posts about the risks that those who partake in prostitutes might die from serial killers; the serial killers could be either hookers or those who target hookers and their customers.

Here are some comparisons from 2019. There were 36,096 traffic fatalities in 2019 in the United States. I chose 2019 because traffic and, thankfully, air pollution, were greatly decreased in 2020 due to covid.

[URL]https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/nhtsa-releases-2019-crash-fatality-data[/URL]

By comparison, CNN reported that, according to the FBI, "fewer than one percent of homicides during a given year are committed by serial killers. " There were 16,425 murders in the states in 2019. Even if a full one percent of these were from serial killers, no more than 164.25 of murders were committed by serial killers. (Too bad for the person left with 3/4 of a body.) It's impossible to know how many of these involved hookers or those who targeted them and their customers.

[URL]https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/09/us/serial-killers-fast-facts/index.html[/URL]

[URL]https://www.statista.com/statistics/191134/reported-murder-and-nonnegligent-manslaughter-cases-in-the-us-since-1990/[/URL]

This has nothing to do with "whataboutism. " You are making claims about risks of serial killings in the proximity of prostitutes, and I am saying the risk is infinitesimal by comparison to the risks for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Seriously, just stay home, and by no means travel to Southeast Asia, Florida, or Georgia. Admittedly, the numbers of comparative fatalities in Western Europe, where you are, may be substantially different. Feel free to share the data.

I promise not to bother you about this again.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2568565]I promise not to bother you about this again.[/QUOTE]Good. You trot out figures from the USA, a place I never wish to see again. Any cop will tell you most murders are done by people who know the victim. Drive by shootings, school shoot ups and the other Apple Pies are a small proportion but they get the headlines. Serial killers are attracted to prostitutes because they are relatively easier to bump off. The human cess pool around prostitutes is murkier and there are higher and qualitatively different risks associated with hanging out with prostitutes than church going grand mothers, who tend not to have pimps as boy friends and are often without yabba / drug dependency issues.

A big story in England now is of a British twin saving her sister from the jaws of a crocodile in Mexico. They went into croc infested waters with a German back packer, who didn't know what he was doing. Me? I would not go into croc infested waters. I've also watched some Louisiana babes hunt gators on youtube. Not for me. [URL]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9679279/British-woman-28-rescued-jaws-crocodile-speaks-time-attack.html[/URL].

You mention Florida. I have also seen videos of gators ambushing hunters and the hunters running faster than Forrest Gump. Not for me.

What would bring me back to SE Asia? LBFMs, plain and simple. When is that likely to happen? Not soon because of Covid19. What will change? My risk / reward payoff. My only relevant regret now is the good bonks I missed out on.

In digging up the twin croc story, I saw other stories of Greek, Spanish and Portuguese tour operators complaining the bigger powers are deliberately keeping their own lot at home to benefit the home front. Certainly last summer, home holidays cost a fortune. Here is a cheap site touting cheap flights to California. In 2022. SEAsia, forget about it. [URL]https://www.holidaypirates.com/flights[/URL].

[QUOTE=AggieDad1;2568294]See the attachment.[/QUOTE]Propaganda against India at its best.

This is fake news like most other news.

And word play also at its best.

Instead of danger sign they wrote 'skull and bones' to make it ultra dramatic.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2568027]I'm somewhat surprised that you haven't yet received your vaccines given that my two friends who live in Makati got jabbed weeks ago, one with Sinovac and the other with AstraZeneca. GE.[/QUOTE]I would be quite okay with jabs from either Astra or Zeneca.

[QUOTE=KongKing;2568688]I would be quite okay with jabs from either Astra or Zeneca.[/QUOTE]Wow. Thankfully I am not yet 65. And lately I have been a '2-jab' guy. Go Astra. Go Zeneca. Praise be!

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2568695]Wow. Thankfully I am not yet 65. And lately I have been a '2-jab' guy. Go Astra. Go Zeneca. Praise be![/QUOTE]Sixty is the magic age for being officially classified as "old" here. But you can stay a two jab guy forever.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2568702]Sixty is the magic age for being officially classified as "old" here. But you can stay a two jab guy forever.

GE.[/QUOTE]Haha with the help of certain. . . Vitamins. . .

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2568372]I have no intention of flying to the USA. SINP Vaccinated Cattle: I know plenty of qualified people warning against these shots, which are now being dispensed to children with God knows what long term results. I don't rely on sex sites like this or google for such information and you should not insinuate otherwise.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2568577]Good. You trot out figures from the USA, a place I never wish to see again. [/QUOTE]I thinks we gots some negativity going on here.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2567117]Attached pic, chocolate taco from a 22 yo, to warm your cockels of your. . . Heart. She's waiting for you MM.[/QUOTE]I offer a peace / piece symbol. The previous pic posted in this thread from last week was a 'before' pic. Today the 'after' pic. Another lass who seems to need re-vaxxing, often.

START.

"MANILA The 17 mayors of Metro Manila unanimously voted to shorten curfew hours in the capital region in a bid to spur economic activity, an official said on Monday, pointing to the area's improving COVID-19 figures.

The region's coronavirus average daily attack rate, or the total number of new cases divided by the total population, has gone down to 6. 76 percent. Meanwhile, the bed occupancy rate also went down to 36.3 percent, said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos.

This prompted mayors on Sunday to agree to adjusting the curfew hours to 12 AM to 4 AM, starting June 15, said Abalos, who is also the concurrent head of the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the MMDA.

(This will give more time to people who will eat at restaurants, for malls to open with leeway for travel time, and perhaps really help our economy. This was approved by all mayors of Metro Manila.).

Previous curfew hours started at 10 PM, he noted. ".

END.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/14/21/metro-manila-curfew-june-2021[/URL]

That's good news for those living in the Metro Manila region and an improvement on the current start of the curfew at 10 pm, so it's going in the right direction. I'm in Cebu City where there is currently an overnight curfew that starts at 11 pm, but I have not seen any news about a relaxation of this curfew here.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2568865]I thinks we gots some negativity going on here.

I offer a peace / piece symbol. The previous pic posted in this thread from last week was a 'before' pic. Today the 'after' pic. Another lass who seems to need re-vaxxing, often.[/QUOTE]You have issues and an unhealthy fixation on posting vaginas to compensate for your lack of grey matter, much like the other expat who cannot even recommend a hotel. Get your issues treated. Confine your pathetic smut pics to the photo section or, preferably, to your own hard drive.

Like others, I am monitoring this site and others for signs of better tomorrows, for information which will allow me make better and more informed decisions. You are simply one of the expat / tourist types that is best avoided with little to no informational content.

Here in Europe, the travel and mixing wings continue to be clipped, except for those of the G7 "leaders" of course. Still, if it means avoiding pathetic perverts, it is no bad thing.

For me, I keep busy. I finish a licensing course tomorrow that opens up yet more panoramas, sexual and otherwise. Life is not just the end of a beer glass or a trike drivers' left overs.

And yes, it is interesting how the other half lives, or pretend to live.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2568942]
That's good news for those living in the Metro Manila region and an improvement on the current start of the curfew at 10 pm, so it's going in the right direction. I'm in Cebu City where there is currently an overnight curfew that starts at 11 pm, but I have not seen any news about a relaxation of this curfew here.[/QUOTE]Can head out to a bar for the first Euro's game of day. Doubt that was on mayors mind, but who knows!

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2568954]You are simply one of the expat / tourist types that is best avoided with little to no informational content.
[/QUOTE]Kick rocks nothing you say adds any value its all disjointed overtry pretentious wastes of time, you quite frankly seem to have very little grasp of the Philippines and its culture, "WestCoast1 " IS what this board is about period a model citizen imo. Your observations are way off base about the country you should be more appreciative of all these guys since you lack any real understanding. Learn something instead of just posting your psychotic musings for the good of the forum. Maybe your background or something makes it impossible to understand "asians" in general and you seem to hate mongers and pussy so pretty toxic. Only reason I'm posting this is so that others understand that the things you post are far from reality I hope none of the noobs here believe anything you have posted. I did ask nicely once before.

All WC1 gives is pictures of pussies. It reminds me of low life who scrawl on walls or dump litter or worse. I see it is an issue on the Indian board where folk dump photos of women but I do not venture there, I have lived in Asia for double digit years and the only problems I have had there were with Americans, whom I generally loathe for the same type of reasons most others despise them. Not all Americans but large swathes of them, the ugly Americans if you like. A large amount of mongers are scum. Check out Pattaya in normal high season, English soccer hooligan types. Of course, there are a lot of golf loving retirees there, as in Angeles but they are a different group again.

You may not have noticed but it has been difficult to travel recently. I have, as I travel a lot. On the plus side, an American based ASIAN air stewardess I have been bonking for some years is making the occasional flight in here, so I am evolving accordingly and tweaking my game. I do also notice hookers are travelling but they are generally over priced.

As regards the Philippines and its culture, are you trying to tell me that some lout who is fixated on posting pictures of anonymous pussies has a grasp of anything? Maybe endless pictures of pussies are what passes for culture ion Unabomber country.

The situation here in the civilized world is travel is severely restricted and becoming even more so, with ordinary people's plans being messed up in very big ways. That being so, reports are like hen's teeth, though reports are not a one size fits all deal in any event. Many reports are Dear Diary type and have little transferrable information. That is partly why IU advised some dude in Davao to ask his marks on advice where to stay. That is a tactic that has served me well in the past.

The governments of Greece and other countries are very suspicious of the air bans as the price of staycations has rocketed, even as they lose out.

I will improve my game and get as much real pussy (not moronic pictures) as I need. You stay with your moronic jokes about penile vaccinations.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2569045]Kick rocks nothing you say adds any value its all disjointed overtry pretentious wastes of time, you quite frankly seem to have very little grasp of the Philippines and its culture, "WestCoast1 " IS what this board is about period a model citizen imo. Your observations are way off base about the country you should be more appreciative of all these guys since you lack any real understanding. Learn something instead of just posting your psychotic musings for the good of the forum. Maybe your background or something makes it impossible to understand "asians" in general and you seem to hate mongers and pussy so pretty toxic. Only reason I'm posting this is so that others understand that the things you post are far from reality I hope none of the noobs here believe anything you have posted. I did ask nicely once before.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2569089]. ..That being so, reports are like hen's teeth, though reports are not a one size fits all deal in any event. Many reports are Dear Diary type and have little transferrable information.. [/QUOTE]Ahmpf. . I don't mean to intrude. But it is kindof nice that there is a guy that's been actually roaming around in the Philippines lately, and taking the time to write up tons of stuff about daily life in the county.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2569089]All WC1 gives is pictures of pussies.[/QUOTE]A lot better than your normal, useless drivel. Most people would agree. I usually ignore your write-ups. But to badmouth a solid contributor cannot be ignored. Most people ignore you; I will start again.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2569089]It reminds me of low life who[/QUOTE]Have you looked in the mirror!

OK. Penalty pic for writing something that should go on the "Stupid Shit" section.

This was from 2012. Got them from Lolipop / Ziggy. I haven't seen them since. The pussy is not that pretty. She should have shaved it more. There seems to be some stretch marks near the ass. But I always believe a 5 that does everything is a 10.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2568954]You have issues and an unhealthy fixation on posting vaginas to compensate for your lack of grey matter, much like the other expat who cannot even recommend a hotel. Get your issues treated. Confine your pathetic smut pics to the photo section or, preferably, to your own hard drive.

Like others, I am monitoring this site and others for signs of better tomorrows, for information which will allow me make better and more informed decisions. You are simply one of the expat / tourist types that is best avoided with little to no informational content.

Here in Europe, the travel and mixing wings continue to be clipped, except for those of the G7 "leaders" of course. Still, if it means avoiding pathetic perverts, it is no bad thing.

For me, I keep busy. I finish a licensing course tomorrow that opens up yet more panoramas, sexual and otherwise. Life is not just the end of a beer glass or a trike drivers' left overs.

And yes, it is interesting how the other half lives, or pretend to live.[/QUOTE]If you're going to attempt to write scathing vitriol in English, I suggest you take a course or two and brush up on grammar and syntax. If might help your (to date) ineffective attempts at self-expression. You do come across as a self-loathing, somewhat jealous and permanently angry person projecting his inadequacies onto those actually living the life for which he longs. I usually ignore your posts, given their general lack of substance and insights, but your unprovoked—and unwarranted—attacks on WC prompted me to comment on the vapidity of your typical attempts to contribute to a dialogue that concerns subjects into which you have no insights.

GE.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2569089]A large amount of mongers are scum.[/QUOTE]And damn proud of it. You might find some social justice forum to be more of your cup of tea. You say the same things the women I run from in the US say, for as much as you say you hate the USA you act, speak and outrage like the leftist whitest lady on the innerwebs. You say you are evolving I think you are evolving into an over the hill menopausal white lady, your post sound like and old lady wrote them like your recent paranoid delusion about serial killer hookers. AND its not just the "white" guys that are disgusting in all my time mongering I have never seen a handsome monger and shit that's good for me the women can't run to my table fast enough LOL! Have you seen Reekaay he has to be one of the most off-putting hideously ugly individuals I have ever come across on the internet. Instead of being jealous or offended like you are it gives me hope that means I can turn into a troll still be as successful as Reekaay with endless amount of pussy. If none of the information suits your purpose why torment everyone else with your estrogen charged rants? You have just been unfortunately misguided by your "friends", I think what you really want is to learn how these guys who you see as not your "friends" can be ugly scum of the earth and still land the most beautiful girls in the world just sounds like a jealous school girls musings to me, you are doing it the hard way imo. At the very least you are in the right place to learn something.

Pedro! Seems we will agree to disagree on things. In the spirit of open discussion of issues, Pedro has the privilege of speaking his mind.

Gents who have defended me here, and also defended the literal essence of this Board, a sincere thanks. However for my sake there is no need. My body of work remains as is (including my corny jokes), and I believe that it includes more than just pics. More poon for all (and I'm not even running for office here).

Dr. Westy (his new name) should not be denegrated. He is doing the Lord's work in the Phils, giving seminal vaccinations to all the pinay's who want them. A real trooper.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2569424]And damn proud of it. You might find some social justice forum to be more of your cup of tea. You say the same things the women I run from in the US say, for as much as you say you hate the USA you act, speak and outrage like the leftist whitest lady on the innerwebs. You say you are evolving I think you are evolving into an over the hill menopausal white lady, your post sound like and old lady wrote them like your recent paranoid delusion about serial killer hookers. AND its not just the "white" guys that are disgusting in all my time mongering I have never seen a handsome monger and shit that's good for me the women can't run to my table fast enough LOL! Have you seen Reekaay he has to be one of the most off-putting hideously ugly individuals I have ever come across on the internet. Instead of being jealous or offended like you are it gives me hope that means I can turn into a troll still be as successful as Reekaay with endless amount of pussy. If none of the information suits your purpose why torment everyone else with your estrogen charged rants? You have just been unfortunately misguided by your "friends", I think what you really want is to learn how these guys who you see as not your "friends" can be ugly scum of the earth and still land the most beautiful girls in the world just sounds like a jealous school girls musings to me, you are doing it the hard way imo. At the very least you are in the right place to learn something.[/QUOTE]MontanaMonger is preaching Gods Gospel Truth. That leftist / feminist / socialist garbage you keep regurgitating might impress your hip trendy friends in Europe, but have no bearing in the real world, and definitely not on this forum. Nobody here is going to pat you on the back for trash talking Americans (very original) or white men. Save that type of obvious virtue-signalling and fake anger for a climate change or communist forum, not here. If you want to virtue signal here, tell us about your favorite LBFM and where your fellow mongers can meet her.

[QUOTE=Free2;2569694]Dr. Westy (his new name) should not be denegrated. He is doing the Lord's work in the Phils, giving seminal vaccinations to all the pinay's who want them. A real trooper.[/QUOTE]Ya. What Free2 said.

Update, see pic. From the DOH and IATF, dated June 13. Almost 2 million fully vaxxed in Phils. Rolling 7-day average is about 140 K vaxxes per day.

Is this real news? Can any one in phils confirm that they are lifting the face shield requirements? This is a huge step in the right direction. I was not looking forward to wearing a face shield. Overstay road complains profusely about the face shields.

"Face shields lifted outdoors".

[URL]https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/357354[/URL]

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2569912]Is this real news? Can any one in phils confirm that they are lifting the face shield requirements? This is a huge step in the right direction. I was not looking forward to wearing a face shield. Overstay road complains profusely about the face shields.

"Face shields lifted outdoors".

[URL]https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/357354[/URL][/QUOTE]Face shields haven't really ever been worn outdoors. They made the rule but nobody followed it. The Filipinos are tired of the BS too. You have to wear then in most large establishments while shopping such as malls, grocery stores, govt. Offices, 50/50 on smaller businesses. Mini marts, bars, restaurants, you wear a facemask to get in then take it off. Don't listen to information from the local Youtube Clown Show.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2569912]Is this real news? Can any one in phils confirm that they are lifting the face shield requirements? [/QUOTE]It appears to be outdoors only.

Here's another article from yesterday:

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/06/16/2105965/standing-policy-doh-maintains-use-face-shield-certain-spaces[/URL]

[I]"Vega had told a Laging Handa briefing earlier today that individuals can opt to remove their face shields when outside, especially if it would obstruct the vision of those wearing it.

Per the DOH, face shields are required when in the following areas:

enclosed public spaces
schools
workplaces
commercial establishments such as, but not limited to, food establishments, malls, and public markets
public transport and terminals
places of worship
other public spaces wherein 1 meter physical distancing is not possible and if there is a gathering of more than 10 people at the same venue and time

SNIP

In the same hearing, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ao said the non-wearing of face shields should carry no penalty in LGUs' ordinances. Such should only be imposed when not wearing face masks, violating social distancing, as well as on mass gatherings, he added."[/I]

[QUOTE=Beavis;2569917]Face shields haven't really ever been worn outdoors. They made the rule but nobody followed it. The Filipinos are tired of the BS too. You have to wear then in most large establishments while shopping such as malls, grocery stores, govt. Offices, 50/50 on smaller businesses. Mini marts, bars, restaurants, you wear a facemask to get in then take it off. Don't listen to information from the local Youtube Clown Show.[/QUOTE]Again, I think that depends in large part on where you are. Here in Davao, folks are not removing face masks in any commercial establishments though no one has taken the face shields seriously for months.

GE.

[QUOTE=Beavis;2569917]Face shields haven't really ever been worn outdoors. They made the rule but nobody followed it. [/QUOTE]There has been quite a noticeable drop in wearing the shield in the last few months or so, just after the last ECQ here. Reading your post a few hours ago, I went out to a convenience store a few blocks up late this afternoon, and took a close look at who was wearing a shield in the street. About 20% had a shield on their face, and another 20% had one on top of their head (as was mine; the store does not allow inside without one). More than half had no shield at all, not perched on their head, not in their hand. I took note of the jeeps, everyone had one on inside a jeeps that I could see. Once inside the store everyone was wearing a mask and shield covering their face (except me, my shield was on top of my head).

[QUOTE=Beavis;2569917]SNIP restaurants, you wear a facemask to get in then take it off. [/QUOTE]I find this to be either a contradiction (not your post, B). The restaurants. You have to be properly wearing your mask + shield to enter a restaurant. Then once inside, you are going to quickly remove them to eat your food. As resto's, bars and such are re-opening, there is more barkada happening, where people sit and chat for an hour or more, the mask and shield are off their heads. As the mask in public is required by law, the shield is not. Why require the shield (that will quickly be removed) to enter a resto / bar? Recently I was about to enter a fast-foot place around 7 am. Just as I was reaching for the door handle, the wind blew the shield from where it was perched atop my head. I grabbed it with my left hand, while opening the door with my right. The guard motioned with his hand over his face and said "Shield". I put it on, correctly, over my face. He let me in and directed me to the sign-in table. As I grabbed the ink pen and contact trace form I also took off the shield (can't see to write when its on my face) as I do everytime I enter any resto. Less than 10 seconds inside the door wearing a shield (as do some others), I just don't see the need for a requirement to have it to enter many businesses. In a mall or grocery store I can understand the academic argument for the mask and the shield, each might mitigate contagions in the air. But in a resto / bar you must take it off (to eat) in order to make the business profitable. Every resto that requires a shield to enter is turning away business from customers on the street who happen not to be wearing a shield and want to stop in for Chickenjoy, a coke, and some aircon.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2569970]Again, I think that depends in large part on where you are. Here in Davao, folks are not removing face masks in any commercial establishments though no one has taken the face shields seriously for months.[/QUOTE]Beavis might have mistaken the mask for shield? I concur about the mask, its universally worn in public (that is, outside the compound; inside their compound around fam / neighbors many either don't wear it at all, or they have it on and pulled down below the chin). Everyone has their mask on correctly in public. An exception might be street vendors who work outside in the heat of the day, sometimes they step into the shade and pull down their mask below their chin to get some fresh air. On occasion I also see a security guard, sitting alone and bored at a closed business, playing on his phone with his mask below his chin. In my example above about watching how many people were wearing a shield, everyone had a mask on, both in the street and inside the store.

News: Some of the bars in Malate have re-opened, with mixed social-distancing protocols.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2570203]
Beavis might have mistaken the mask for shield? I concur about the mask, its universally worn in public (that is, outside the compound; inside their compound around fam / neighbors many either don't wear it at all, or they have it on and pulled down below the chin). Everyone has their mask on correctly in public. An exception might be street vendors who work outside in the heat of the day, sometimes they step into the shade and pull down their mask below their chin to get some fresh air. On occasion I also see a security guard, sitting alone and bored at a closed business, playing on his phone with his mask below his chin. In my example above about watching how many people were wearing a shield, everyone had a mask on, both in the street and inside the store.

News: Some of the bars in Malate have re-opened, with mixed social-distancing protocols.[/QUOTE]No mistake on which is a mask or shield. Just observations from Luzon.

Not sure what to make of this except glad I don't live in Cebu.

[QUOTE=Beavis;2570239]No mistake on which is a mask or shield. Just observations from Luzon.[/QUOTE]I must make a correction. I took a 10 minute walk in the late morning, and another in the late afternoon. The number of shields out there, whether perched on top of heads, worn correctly, or being carried in someone's hand was at most 20% (less, really). On the afternoon walk I was only one of a handful that had one (I was going to meet a hussy for coffee, the shop refuses anyone without both mask and shield).

Also, regarding the mask. I saw folks who weren't wearing one. Perhaps I just hadn't noticed before. The people who didn't have a mask were working sari's, carindarias, moveable fruit stands, stalls, or other employees who were ferrying products from a delivery truck into a business. Those walking on the street, customers in the mall, and employees in the mall all were wearing their mask. At the resto where I ate breakfast this morning (and eat several times a week), I noticed no employees were wearing a mask. In fact I don't recall them wearing a mask for some time (interesting, how you miss something right in front of you). Should the people who handle food be required to wear a mask? They do at fast food joints, and they separate themselves from you with plexiglass -- who's afraid of who?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2570319]I must make a correction. I took a 10 minute walk in the late morning, and another in the late afternoon. The number of shields out there, whether perched on top of heads, worn correctly, or being carried in someone's hand was at most 20% (less, really). On the afternoon walk I was only one of a handful that had one (I was going to meet a hussy for coffee, the shop refuses anyone without both mask and shield).

Also, regarding the mask. I saw folks who weren't wearing one. Perhaps I just hadn't noticed before. The people who didn't have a mask were working sari's, carindarias, moveable fruit stands, stalls, or other employees who were ferrying products from a delivery truck into a business. Those walking on the street, customers in the mall, and employees in the mall all were wearing their mask. At the resto where I ate breakfast this morning (and eat several times a week), I noticed no employees were wearing a mask. In fact I don't recall them wearing a mask for some time (interesting, how you miss something right in front of you). Should the people who handle food be required to wear a mask? They do at fast food joints, and they separate themselves from you with plexiglass -- who's afraid of who?[/QUOTE]I think the Filipinos are becoming just as tired of the BS as everyone else is. Many places still require a face shield to enter. I keep 2 in my car just in case, the big stores require them but then again once inside it depends on who is working. If you walk the back streets over half won't be wearing a mask and many that are have them pulled down. Back to the original point was being worried about having to wear a face shield in public which isn't or never really has been a problem (at least in my observations). 7,000 islands so I can only speak for Olongapo and Angeles City.

Interesting.

[URL]https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-signs-deal-40-mln-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-doses-report-2021-06-20/[/URL]

"MANILA, June 20 (Reuters) - The Philippine government has signed a supply agreement for 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc (PFE. N) and BioNTech SE, (22 UAy. DE) in its biggest coronavirus vaccine deal to date.

Deliveries of the vaccine will begin in late September, Carlito Galvez, head of the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement, said on Sunday. It "will significantly boost our national immunisation programme and will enable us to realise our goal of achieving herd immunity by year-end," he said."

[QUOTE=Free2;2571270]Interesting.

[URL]https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-signs-deal-40-mln-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-doses-report-2021-06-20/[/URL]

"MANILA, June 20 (Reuters) - The Philippine government has signed a supply agreement for 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc (PFE. N) and BioNTech SE, (22 UAy. DE) in its biggest coronavirus vaccine deal to date.

Deliveries of the vaccine will begin in late September, Carlito Galvez, head of the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement, said on Sunday. It "will significantly boost our national immunisation programme and will enable us to realise our goal of achieving herd immunity by year-end," he said."[/QUOTE]Even before this the supplies of Pfizer were increasing. I got my second dose about 2 weeks ago and my wife and 21 year old son got their first doses of Pfizer today. Davao appears to be doing a reasonably good job in getting this into people's arms as soon as it arrives in the city and there appears to be an increasing number of vaccination sites throughout the city, or at least around the most heavily populated areas.

GE.

Some Gen Info stuff.

First, a gent on the Board recently mentioned Ivermectin as a Covid treatment. Apparently a sitting US senator also mentioned it on youtube and had his account suspended.

Second, a few days ago Cebu Pacific sent me a standard email regarding changes to their rewards program. I opened it but didn't look carefully at the date at the time. The emails states that GetGo points must be redeemed by June 15,2021. Problem: The email was sent to me on the morning of June 17, two days later. Good job!

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2571287]Even before this the supplies of Pfizer were increasing. I got my second dose about 2 weeks ago and my wife and 21 year old son got their first doses of Pfizer today. Davao appears to be doing a reasonably good job in getting this into people's arms as soon as it arrives in the city and there appears to be an increasing number of vaccination sites throughout the city, or at least around the most heavily populated areas.

GE.[/QUOTE]That's improvement slow but improving. I have a question. According to the CDC. WHO and pretty much every news channel on TV the vaccine works. Get the vaccine and you cannot catch or spread it. Here in the US mask are just about gone except for very few places or while flying. Then why in Gods name if we are vaccinated can't we travel to Asia. I'm not a risk to anyone according to the experts. Can anyone answer this question?

A few more. From the DOH, showing 4 major vaccines as 100% effective. My question:

Is that possible? 100% protection from severe symptoms and death? Don't the vaccines themselves cause illness or even death in a small number of cases? Don't they all have different efficacy rates? Don't a small number of cases have major Covid symptoms or death after full vaxxing?

* It mentions clinical trials. Does the layman understand that? Do I understand that?

Caveat: I am not arguing against vaccinations, but I question that graphic.

Yep, these graphics are 100% legit. Although different vaccines have different success rates as far as infection, they essentially all have 100% efficacy rates as far as keeping the vaccinated person from getting seriously ill or dying. One of my best friends is an ER doctor at a major hospital, and has never seen anyone even get admitted for covid after getting vaccinated.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2571449]A few more. From the DOH, showing 4 major vaccines as 100% effective. My question:

Is that possible? 100% protection from severe symptoms and death? Don't the vaccines themselves cause illness or even death in a small number of cases? Don't they all have different efficacy rates? Don't a small number of cases have major Covid symptoms or death after full vaxxing?

* It mentions clinical trials. Does the layman understand that? Do I understand that?

Caveat: I am not arguing against vaccinations, but I question that graphic.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2571442]The emails states that GetGo points must be redeemed by June 15,2021. Problem: The email was sent to me on the morning of June 17, two days later. Good job![/QUOTE]You just reminded me to check my Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles which were always promoted as "never expiring". Seems they will now expire 31 Jan 2022.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2571472]You just reminded me to check my Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles which were always promoted as "never expiring". Seems they will now expire 31 Jan 2022.[/QUOTE]PAL is filing for bankruptcy I wonder if they will wipe out the miles during the debt restructuring. PAL is in deep financial trouble.

"PAL parent on 'final stages' of restructuring as loss mounts to P73 billion".

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/06/17/2106168/pal-parent-final-stages-restructuring-loss-mounts-p73-billion[/URL]

Looks like face shields are here to stay. Dutarte walked back his comments on face shields. The Philippines always has to be unique doesn't it.

"Face shields still mandatory.

Duterte ends confusion, heeds experts' advice, cites Delta variant threat".

[URL]https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/357752/face-shields-still-mandatory.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=FuriousGeorge;2571469]Yep, these graphics are 100% legit. Although different vaccines have different success rates as far as infection, they essentially all have 100% efficacy rates as far as keeping the vaccinated person from getting seriously ill or dying. One of my best friends is an ER doctor at a major hospital, and has never seen anyone even get admitted for covid after getting vaccinated.[/QUOTE]Again. Then why are we stuck and can't go anywhere. It makes no sense. Don't get the vaccine and you can't go anywhere, get the vaccine and you can't go anywhere. Yeah that sounds reasonable.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2571444]That's improvement slow but improving. I have a question. According to the CDC. WHO and pretty much every news channel on TV the vaccine works. Get the vaccine and you cannot catch or spread it. Here in the US mask are just about gone except for very few places or while flying. Then why in Gods name if we are vaccinated can't we travel to Asia. I'm not a risk to anyone according to the experts. Can anyone answer this question?[/QUOTE]Just a quick search on "Can vaccinated Covid patients spread Covid?" turned up somewhat different information. The brunt of these articles is that some persons who are fully vaxxed contract it, and there's little way of knowing who they spread it to (as they may be asymptomatic, if at all). Uncertainty.

[URL]https://news.yahoo.com/people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-121339654.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]"These bits of evidence are promising. But without more studies, scientists cannot yet conclude that COVID-19 vaccines really do protect against all transmission. Studies attempting to directly answer this question through contact tracing are just beginning: Researchers will track COVID-19 infections among vaccinated and unvaccinated volunteers and their close contacts.

SNIP

The recent outbreak of infections among the vaccinated New York Yankees shows that vaccinated people not only can still get infected, they might also transmit the coronavirus to close contacts. Highly tested groups, such as professional sports teams, spotlight the fact that mild, asymptomatic infections among the vaccinated in the general population might actually be more frequent than reported. A similar outbreak in airport workers in Singapore shows that, even among the fully vaccinated, new and more infectious variants can spread fast."[/I]

And from a search on "have Covid vaccinated persons died of Covid after vaccination". From the CDC website, an article on 'breakthrough' cases, where fully vaxxed people later acquired Covid, and were hospitalized or died (see pic).

Hence, to be conservative, countries might require inbound tourists to isolate and swab for a while when they open up. Not sure if that helps.

Well, you can go to Mexico. They don't seem to care down there. It's still incumbent on citizens to get vaccinated so the population achieves herd immunity and then all this nonsense ends. I do suspect that very soon countries will open up to those with proof of vaccination. The lack of tourism dollars is hurting them. Although I have no desire to go back to PH until everything is back to normal. Gogo bars, High Society (looks like it's now called Gold Bar), and all the rest of the fun stuff opening will draw me back. This will require the citizens to get vaccinated. And recent reports say that Duterte is damn serious about compelling the populace to do it, which I celebrate.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2571588]Again. Then why are we stuck and can't go anywhere. It makes no sense. Don't get the vaccine and you can't go anywhere, get the vaccine and you can't go anywhere. Yeah that sounds reasonable.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2571674]Just a quick search on "Can vaccinated Covid patients spread Covid?" turned up somewhat different information. The brunt of these articles is that some persons who are fully vaxxed contract it, and there's little way of knowing who they spread it to (as they may be asymptomatic, if at all). Uncertainty.

[URL]https://news.yahoo.com/people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-121339654.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]"These bits of evidence are promising. But without more studies, scientists cannot yet conclude that COVID-19 vaccines really do protect against all transmission. Studies attempting to directly answer this question through contact tracing are just beginning: Researchers will track COVID-19 infections among vaccinated and unvaccinated volunteers and their close contacts.

SNIP

The recent outbreak of infections among the vaccinated New York Yankees shows that vaccinated people not only can still get infected, they might also transmit the coronavirus to close contacts. Highly tested groups, such as professional sports teams, spotlight the fact that mild, asymptomatic infections among the vaccinated in the general population might actually be more frequent than reported. A similar outbreak in airport workers in Singapore shows that, even among the fully vaccinated, new and more infectious variants can spread fast."[/I]

And from a search on "have Covid vaccinated persons died of Covid after vaccination". From the CDC website, an article on 'breakthrough' cases, where fully vaxxed people later acquired Covid, and were hospitalized or died (see pic).

Hence, to be conservative, countries might require inbound tourists to isolate and swab for a while when they open up. Not sure if that helps.[/QUOTE]Couple of things important to remember:

-Some of the COVID cases came in people who either had gotten only their first Pfizer / moderna shot, before the second or less than 2 weeks after the second shot (you are not fully protected until 2 weeks after the second shot).

-3700 cases out of 150 million Americans vaccinated is infintesimal but of course nothing is 100%, that was clear in the clinical trials.

-Of the cases. We don't know if some of those people were immunosuppressed or not.

-Clearly the vaccine is working. The numbers dropping in the USA are fabulous. The state where I live is fully open and we are looking forward to horse racing season. The other countries where vaccination uptake is good translates to a reduction of COVID cases.

-Will COVID go away. Probably not. But will the pandemic end with vaccination. It appears so.

As for the NY yankees, all these guys that got COVID vaccine got the single dose J&J shot which clearly has been shown to be less effective than either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, although all 3 vaccines reduce hospitalization due to COVID and that's really important. Only one got symptoms. They need to be more concerned about playing good baseball cause to date, their season has been up and down.

GG.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2571856]Couple of things important to remember:

-Some of the COVID cases came in people who either had gotten only their first Pfizer / moderna shot, before the second or less than 2 weeks after the second shot (you are not fully protected until 2 weeks after the second shot).

-3700 cases out of 150 million Americans vaccinated is infintesimal but of course nothing is 100%, that was clear in the clinical trials.

-Of the cases. We don't know if some of those people were immunosuppressed or not.

-Clearly the vaccine is working. The numbers dropping in the USA are fabulous. The state where I live is fully open and we are looking forward to horse racing season. The other countries where vaccination uptake is good translates to a reduction of COVID cases.

-Will COVID go away. Probably not. But will the pandemic end with vaccination. It appears so.

As for the NY yankees, all these guys that got COVID vaccine got the single dose J&J shot which clearly has been shown to be less effective than either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, although all 3 vaccines reduce hospitalization due to COVID and that's really important. Only one got symptoms. They need to be more concerned about playing good baseball cause to date, their season has been up and down.

GG.[/QUOTE]Philippines Travel Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, June 17,2021.

The US Government posted the following today:

Reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased.

Caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Read the entire Travel.

Advisory.

Read? The Department of State'sCOVID-19 page? Before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued aLevel 3 Travel Health.

Noticefor the Philippines due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the.

Country. ? Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower.

If you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international.

Travel, please review the CDC's specific recommendations.

For vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

There are restrictions in place affecting USA Citizen entry into the Philippines. Visit the.

Embassy'sCOVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and.

Conditions in the Philippines.

Do Not Travel to:

The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil.

Unrest, and kidnapping.

Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Reconsider Travel to:

Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other.

Attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning.

Targeting tourist locations, markets / shopping malls, and local government facilities. The.

Philippine government has declared a State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless.

Violence in Mindanao.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2571961]Philippines Travel Advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, June 17,2021.

The US Government posted the following today:

Reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased.

Caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.[/QUOTE]'Rona deaths per million of population;.

UK: 1,876.

US: 1,856.

Philippines: 216.

Stats via [URL]https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/[/URL].

As for terrorism and terror attacks in the Philippines, non-existent in Cebu (I have been living in Cebu City for the last 2 years), AC and Manilla, maybe once or twice a year there is a terror attack on Mindanao by Islamic extremists and the victims are almost always local Filipinos. For the average foreigner, you stand more chance of being mugged in your home country than of being mugged in the Philippines. And more chance of dying in a car crash in your home country than of dying in a terror attack in the Philippines.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2571856]Couple of things important to remember:

-Some of the COVID cases came in people who either had gotten only their first Pfizer / moderna shot, before the second or less than 2 weeks after the second shot (you are not fully protected until 2 weeks after the second shot).

-3700 cases out of 150 million Americans vaccinated is infintesimal but of course nothing is 100%, that was clear in the clinical trials.

-Of the cases. We don't know if some of those people were immunosuppressed or not.

-Clearly the vaccine is working. The numbers dropping in the USA are fabulous. The state where I live is fully open and we are looking forward to horse racing season. The other countries where vaccination uptake is good translates to a reduction of COVID cases.[/QUOTE]Don't hold your breath.

WHO has just warned that the delta variant is surging in the US and Europe. This new variant is immune to all vaccines especially NRA ones. Worse, natural immunity doesn't seem to hold well against it.

At the IHU of Marseilles France, over 40% of the new Covid entries are double jabbed Pfizer. In the UK we get close to 30%.

Pharmaco vigilance reports over 15000 deaths in the EU mostly Pfizer and over 1.5 M side effects with over half of them dead serious. Those number are staggering. At this rate we will have 50.000 deaths from Pfizer in Europe by the end of the year. Not to mention long term effects with blood diseases, prion disease and so on.

This function gain virus from Wuhan lab is one motherfucker that offset its low fatality rate by an endless and fast growing mutation process. Indonesia and the UK have officially started massive ivermectin treatment. At this stage this is the only way to contain the virus worldwide. But I fear NRA vaccines have already triggered a vicious circle of variants.

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2572279]Don't hold your breath.

WHO has just warned that the delta variant is surging in the US and Europe. This new variant is immune to all vaccines especially NRA ones. Worse, natural immunity doesn't seem to hold well against it.

At the IHU of Marseilles France, over 40% of the new Covid entries are double jabbed Pfizer. In the UK we get close to 30%.

Pharmaco vigilance reports over 15000 deaths in the EU mostly Pfizer and over 1.5 M side effects with over half of them dead serious. Those number are staggering. At this rate we will have 50.000 deaths from Pfizer in Europe by the end of the year. Not to mention long term effects with blood diseases, prion disease and so on.

This function gain virus from Wuhan lab is one motherfucker that offset its low fatality rate by an endless and fast growing mutation process. Indonesia and the UK have officially started massive ivermectin treatment. At this stage this is the only way to contain the virus worldwide. But I fear NRA vaccines have already triggered a vicious circle of variants.[/QUOTE]And where is this information from?

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2572355]And where is this information from?[/QUOTE]The OP's imagination. I just did a quick fact check and everything stated in his very first post in incorrect. He'll do well on ISG!

[blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue]

[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was redacted or deleted to remove sections of the report that were [u]largely argumentative[/u]. Please read the Forum FAQ and the Forum's Posting Guidelines for more information. [i]Thank You![/i][/blue]

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2572279]
WHO has just warned that the delta variant is surging in the US and Europe. This new variant is immune to all vaccines especially NRA ones. Worse, natural immunity doesn't seem to hold well against it.
.[/QUOTE]NRA is the national rifle association in the US you have searched the wrong term. There is no natural immunity to this virus. The variants are not immune to the vaccines, it may be less effective but the delta variant is not immune to the vaccines. ANZ Chimp vaccine is highly dangerous and 100% ineffective along with sputnik and the China vaccines. You are guzzling down that Chinese and Russian propaganda. Biden didn't hand over the keys to mRNA because mRNA is a bio weapon in itself which is the defense against these bioweapons, so they are trying to bash it. Chinese people across their country are losing their hearing and massive side effects from the Chinese vaccine which has 0 effect on the variants same goes for AZN. Reason the world is letting Americans in is because they are mRNA vaccinated for the most part. A lot of your information is propaganda and misguided unfortunately. Another miss conception you seem to have is that the vaccine prevents infection. That it does not at all it does is prevent death / greatly limits the chance of death. So that tiny death rate drops another 99% so you have a 0. 02%-99% chance of dying from covid after vaccination. People can and do still get the virus. Don't read to far into these propagandized statistics. The same people said the deaths rate was multiples higher than it actually was and it was just outright poorly crafted projections not based in any reality, they get paid to create panic and click bait. No real way to stop people like you from confirming your confirmation bias that the world is ending but it isn't. Europe is actually kind a fucked because AZN is totally in effective and does have horrible side effects don't inject yourself with anything that comes from a chimp. MRNAs effectiveness is lower where variants are concerned in some cases but it IS effective enough to protect against death. Which makes this a cold unless you were pre-covid afraid of dying from the flu or common cold in which case no hope for you. Covid existed as lesser forms and we have all been infected by a lesser strain of covid before this and you did live because it wasn't novel, the vaccines add the immunity you need to downgrade what we know as covid to the common cold covid level, its what the doctors used to tell you when they didn't understand what you had a part of what we know as the common cold.

Chinese media criticise Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, tout local shots.

[URL]https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-china-idUSKBN29P1HT[/URL]

DHS Now Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern be. 1. 617.2, the Delta Variant.

[URL]https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/061621.htm[/URL]

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2572384]NRA is the national rifle association in the US you have searched the wrong term. There is no natural immunity to this virus. The variants are not immune to the vaccines, it may be less effective but the delta variant is not immune to the vaccines. ANZ Chimp vaccine is highly dangerous and 100% ineffective along with sputnik and the China vaccines. You are guzzling down that Chinese and Russian propaganda. Biden didn't hand over the keys to mRNA because mRNA is a bio weapon in itself which is the defense against these bioweapons, so they are trying to bash it. Chinese people across their country are losing their hearing and massive side effects from the Chinese vaccine which has 0 effect on the variants same goes for AZN. Reason the world is letting Americans in is because they are mRNA vaccinated for the most part. A lot of your information is propaganda and misguided unfortunately. Another miss conception you seem to have is that the vaccine prevents infection. That it does not at all it does is prevent death / greatly limits the chance of death. So that tiny death rate drops another 99% so you have a 0. 02%-99% chance of dying from covid after vaccination. People can and do still get the virus. Don't read to far into these propagandized statistics. The same people said the deaths rate was multiples higher than it actually was and it was just outright poorly crafted projections not based in any reality, they get paid to create panic and click bait. No real way to stop people like you from confirming your confirmation bias that the world is ending but it isn't. Europe is actually kind a fucked because AZN is totally in effective and does have horrible side effects don't inject yourself with anything that comes from a chimp.[/QUOTE]ARN is just the acronym for genetic therapy in France so I just reverse it. Please don't patronize me.

I don't want to spend time arguing about Pfizer since you seem to cling to any last bit of relevance from this brand. Nevertheless you appear to me a bit conservative about the efficiency of the miracle product. I would suggest 120% success rate.

Now, let's get back to business. 4 British Airways pilots died a week ago after their double jab Pfizer. Something never heard of in the entire history of the general aviation. BA held up a crisis meeting with the government in order to suggest that vaccines pilots should not take the air! Since 80% of their pilots have been vaccinated they are cornered. Now, that just confirm what I suspected months ago that vaccines would just add another layer of crap.

Hungary stats: Pfizer hold the record of death rate per 100 000 vaccinated people (36) Sputnik is way behind with 1.

90% of the deaths in Europe reported by Pharmaco vigilance (a state organisation). Are from Pfizer.

Studies start to show that Prion disease is one of many threat that Pfizer clients are facing in the coming years (30 mouses tested with Pfizer died within a week with prion which is brain meltdown). The list is endless.

One has to be fuckin naive to believe that a three weeks vaccine development against SRAS works miracle while every genetics therapies tested those last 15 years failed miserably. It can be the future for all I know but this is the present time.

I wish vaccines work, really. But they don't. North hemisphere countries enjoy the summer season. Let's see how it goes in October. I already have some ideas.

Israel, Russia currently face a surge of contaminations and Israel acknowledge that the situation is serious (all of their Guinea pigs are Pfizer related).

I intended to go back to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Moscow but I suspect that the mess is far from over. We have officials handling this crisis on panic mode and that won't change.

Now, to close this vaccine topic, I'm not against getting jabbed but with the right move. I would seriously consider Vanelva by the end of the year. This is definitely the most serious contender and it's French. It's similar to the flu vaccine but improved. Ironically the European Commission which has been bought out by Pfizer lobbyists already dismissed Vanelva because the factories were in Scotland and not in Europe. It's all about the money not about the best interests of the people and Pfizer has spent hundreds of millions to make sure Europe is it's garden wall. Sputnik is forbidden along with the Chinese ones. European citizens have choices between experimental genetics therapy and. Moderna. This is joke.

The Delta variant is definitely not 'immune' to vaccines. Please do a simple google search, something like 'delta variant vaccine efficacy'. Don't spread misinformation. Ugh I hate the internet. Please everyone get vaccinated and this nonsense is over.

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2572279]Don't hold your breath.

WHO has just warned that the delta variant is surging in the US and Europe. This new variant is immune to all vaccines especially NRA ones. Worse, natural immunity doesn't seem to hold well against it.

At the IHU of Marseilles France, over 40% of the new Covid entries are double jabbed Pfizer. In the UK we get close to 30%.

Pharmaco vigilance reports over 15000 deaths in the EU mostly Pfizer and over 1.5 M side effects with over half of them dead serious. Those number are staggering. At this rate we will have 50.000 deaths from Pfizer in Europe by the end of the year. Not to mention long term effects with blood diseases, prion disease and so on.

This function gain virus from Wuhan lab is one motherfucker that offset its low fatality rate by an endless and fast growing mutation process. Indonesia and the UK have officially started massive ivermectin treatment. At this stage this is the only way to contain the virus worldwide. But I fear NRA vaccines have already triggered a vicious circle of variants.[/QUOTE]

Mandaue City is half masturbating? Translating Tagalog is not bullet proof always get a 2nd opinion if you are translating tagalog or bisiya, the electronic translations are not great and often lead to misunderstandings. This is the reason why Filipinos often times struggle to translate what they are thinking / saying into English as to not sound like a total dumbass. Direct translations do not often times work that's why your filipina always answers with an "idea" of what she is thinking in tagalog. Its worst if they speak something they call jejemon the translators won't even decode jejemon. MOST cebuanas speak jejemon. Even if you do get access to their phones if they speak jejemon there's no one that can help you. Anyone who can read the jejemon is going to be just as illiterate. Its frustrating that they never have a direct answer but they are just as confused as you are unfortunately. One of the biggest problems I come across with some filipinas is they are so illiterate in any language not just English they have such limited vocabularies that meaningful communication is almost impossible. Thankfully this kind of means that you don't need to communicate your feelings in any meaningful way other than hand over some money as a measure of your love. Which results in a very easy path to sex. Pros and cons.

"Facebook apologizes for 'handy' translation gaffe in Mandaue City post about PNoy's death".

[URL]https://coconuts.co/manila/lifestyle/facebook-autotranslate-mandaue-city-half-mast/[/URL]

I am in the UK, and have not heard anything about this, so did a little research, and the BA aspect appears to be incorrect. [URL]https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-coronavirus-aviation-idUSL2N2NZ1ZO[/URL].

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2572428]ARN is just the acronym for genetic therapy in France so I just reverse it. Please don't patronize me.

I don't want to spend time arguing about Pfizer since you seem to cling to any last bit of relevance from this brand. Nevertheless you appear to me a bit conservative about the efficiency of the miracle product. I would suggest 120% success rate.

Now, let's get back to business. 4 British Airways pilots died a week ago after their double jab Pfizer. Something never heard of in the entire history of the general aviation. BA held up a crisis meeting with the government in order to suggest that vaccines pilots should not take the air! Since 80% of their pilots have been vaccinated they are cornered. Now, that just confirm what I suspected months ago that vaccines would just add another layer of crap.

Hungary stats: Pfizer hold the record of death rate per 100 000 vaccinated people (36) Sputnik is way behind with 1.

90% of the deaths in Europe reported by Pharmaco vigilance (a state organisation). Are from Pfizer.

Studies start to show that Prion disease is one of many threat that Pfizer clients are facing in the coming years (30 mouses tested with Pfizer died within a week with prion which is brain meltdown). The list is endless.

One has to be fuckin naive to believe that a three weeks vaccine development against SRAS works miracle while every genetics therapies tested those last 15 years failed miserably. It can be the future for all I know but this is the present time.

I wish vaccines work, really. But they don't. North hemisphere countries enjoy the summer season. Let's see how it goes in October. I already have some ideas.

Israel, Russia currently face a surge of contaminations and Israel acknowledge that the situation is serious (all of their Guinea pigs are Pfizer related).

I intended to go back to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Moscow but I suspect that the mess is far from over. We have officials handling this crisis on panic mode and that won't change.

Now, to close this vaccine topic, I'm not against getting jabbed but with the right move. I would seriously consider Vanelva by the end of the year. This is definitely the most serious contender and it's French. It's similar to the flu vaccine but improved. Ironically the European Commission which has been bought out by Pfizer lobbyists already dismissed Vanelva because the factories were in Scotland and not in Europe. It's all about the money not about the best interests of the people and Pfizer has spent hundreds of millions to make sure Europe is it's garden wall. Sputnik is forbidden along with the Chinese ones. European citizens have choices between experimental genetics therapy and. Moderna. This is joke.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2572428]ARN is just the acronym for genetic therapy in France so I just reverse it. Please don't patronize me.

I don't want to spend time arguing about Pfizer since you seem to cling to any last bit of relevance from this brand. Nevertheless you appear to me a bit conservative about the efficiency of the miracle product. I would suggest 120% success rate.[/QUOTE]Spiroul,

I checked some of the claims you made. I wish you did more due diligence before you make claims that affect people's lives. I am a pilot and double vaccinated with Pfizer. And I can assure you that there is no such talk about vaccine related panic among pilots nor airlines. Not one person has brought it up. FAA requires disclosure of any medical concerns. BA is not going to risk losing their charter in USA by hiding such key info about pilots. They would rather ground their fleet and claim insurance payout than crash planes.

How many planes have crashed worldwide? How many mayday calls have been called due to pilot health concerns in the sky due to vaccine? Answer is none. Because FAA and ATC compiles such data worldwide. And none of the mayday calls have been related to Pfizer or any vaccine. So as an industry insider I can confirm you are spreading garbage info. I trust you truly believe your inference, but sadly you are misinformed. I pray that you do a bit more due diligence before spreading such information. Even if you believe it to be true.

Travel requirements (by province). Try:

[URL]https://www.s-pass.ph/[/URL]

Nice website, easy to find your province / area. Couple of caveats, as mentioned in the pic:

* Some areas are RESTRICTED (you need a Travel Coordination Permit, TCP) for travel there. Other areas are not. Unrestricted by passing thru RESTRICTED area: You need a Travel Pass-through Permit (TPP).

* Thumbtack icon indicates the province has cities or brgy within that have different travel policies.

* Like reserving your hotel, it never hurts to call your LGU (Brgy hall or city's Mayor's office) to confirm your travel document needs.

Thanks to the Board member who passed this along to me.

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2572279]
Pharmaco vigilance reports over .....
[/QUOTE]The posts from this user need to be deleted.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2576119]The posts from this user need to be deleted.[/QUOTE]I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about COVID vaccines, but I think it's important to get the facts straight. As a Doc who has worked on numerous vaccines for over 20 years, I think I can address the science:

Moderna and Pfizer: These are mRNA vaccines, they do not get into human DNA, but they make the COVID spike protein and then the body makes an immune response (antibodies along with be and T cell response). These vaccines, to date, appear to be effective against the common variants such as Delta (indian).

Astra-Zeneca, J&J and Sputnik: These are known as "vector vaccines" because a common human or animal virus is taken, made non infectious, and reprogramed to enter the human cell nucleus (where out DNA is) and using the same mechanism that we use to make more human DNA, these vaccines make mRNA which then makes spike protein and then the body makes antibodies and be and T cells. These vaccines are a bit less effective than the Pfizer / moderna vaccines (and we don't know why).

-Sinovac and other Chinese vaccines: These use very old technology, they take COVID virus and kill it (so it cannot cause infection) and mix it with an aluminum salt to cause irritation on injection which helps stimulate the immune response more. These vaccines are much less effective and in studies and real world use, this is so, less effective.

-All the vaccines reduce severe COVID disease to different degrees. That was the aim of the development. To keep people out of the hospital and from dying.

-None of the vaccines are 100% effective.

-In a recent study with the Pfizer vaccine, patients who got no doses, 1 dose, 2 doses and 2 doses + waiting 2 more weeks were examined to see rates of COVID (these were health care workers taking care of COVID patients). Workers taking care of COVID patients who got 2 doses after 2 weeks later had an infection rate of 5% (and none were seriously ill). Vaccines appear to work in real life as well as studies. All the other groups had much higher infection rates.

All of the vaccines (like all drugs) have the potential for side effects. But, COVID infection has a lot more bad effects than the vaccines.

This is the science, not from running a Google search or reading blogs from people who don't read the science. Sorry. Those are the facts as judged by peer review research.

But again. Working in vaccine clinics here in the USA. I know you can't change people's minds. So I don't try to. I only present the facts.

And no, I don't support Dr. Fauci!

GG.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2576144]I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about COVID vaccines, but I think it's important to get the facts straight. As a Doc who has worked on numerous vaccines for over 20 years, I think I can address the science:

Moderna and Pfizer: These are mRNA vaccines, they do not get into human DNA, but they make the COVID spike protein and then the body makes an immune response (antibodies along with be and T cell response). These vaccines, to date, appear to be effective against the common variants such as Delta (indian).

Astra-Zeneca, J&J and Sputnik: These are known as "vector vaccines" because a common human or animal virus is taken, made non infectious, and reprogramed to enter the human cell nucleus (where out DNA is) and using the same mechanism that we use to make more human DNA, these vaccines make mRNA which then makes spike protein and then the body makes antibodies and be and T cells. These vaccines are a bit less effective than the Pfizer / moderna vaccines (and we don't know why).

-Sinovac and other Chinese vaccines: These use very old technology, they take COVID virus and kill it (so it cannot cause infection) and mix it with an aluminum salt to cause irritation on injection which helps stimulate the immune response more. These vaccines are much less effective and in studies and real world use, this is so, less effective..[/QUOTE]Much appreciate the vaccine primer. I've already had covid, and I'm curious as to whether there's yet been a documented case of anyone previously infected contracting covid a second time?

[QUOTE=DriveAllNight;2576160]Much appreciate the vaccine primer. I've already had covid, and I'm curious as to whether there's yet been a documented case of anyone previously infected contracting covid a second time?[/QUOTE]Very simply. Yes. You can get COVID again if you already had it. Most likely due to one of the variants. The immunity produced by natural infection is much more specific for the exact virus you had, and less effective against the variants. That's why you need to get COVID vaccine. Because the immunity produced with the vaccine is much "broader" against variants (and the original).

Here is a great medical summary take a look, if you have questions, feel free to PM me:

[URL]https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1605[/URL]

GG.

There is a consumer-advocacy government department, the Dept of Industry / Trade. Got a consumer complaint? Nah, never. Website:

[URL]https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/complaints/[/URL]

And the complaint form you must fill out and email back. Or hand-carry it to the Manila office:

[URL]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0ilL7KAK3i5SnREX01xRUp5azg/view?resourcekey=0-8zpjhWqGK93jSDlcAQ6sMg[/URL]

Unfortunately, the. Pdf complaint form is not keyboard fill-able. You download it, print it out, fill it out by hand, then have it scanned at the cafe, and finally email it back to: [EMAIL]consumercare@dti.gov.ph[/EMAIL].

This process, of not being able to fill out the form online, of having to go to an internet cafe (or such) with a printer, then filling it out, then scanning and then emailing it, in itself deserves a consumer complaint. But, that's just me.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2576611]There is a consumer-advocacy government department, the Dept of Industry / Trade. Got a consumer complaint? Nah, never. Website:

[URL]https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/complaints/[/URL]

And the complaint form you must fill out and email back. Or hand-carry it to the Manila office:

[URL]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0ilL7KAK3i5SnREX01xRUp5azg/view?resourcekey=0-8zpjhWqGK93jSDlcAQ6sMg[/URL]

Unfortunately, the. Pdf complaint form is not keyboard fill-able. [/QUOTE]Or use an online converter PDF to Word, fill it out and reconvert to a PDF. Or subscribe to acrobat reader which will allow editing. Or use a free online pdf editor.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2576611]There is a consumer-advocacy government department, the Dept of Industry / Trade. Got a consumer complaint? Nah, never. Website:

[URL]https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/complaints/[/URL]

And the complaint form you must fill out and email back. Or hand-carry it to the Manila office:

[URL]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0ilL7KAK3i5SnREX01xRUp5azg/view?resourcekey=0-8zpjhWqGK93jSDlcAQ6sMg[/URL]

Unfortunately, the. Pdf complaint form is not keyboard fill-able. You download it, print it out, fill it out by hand, then have it scanned at the cafe, and finally email it back to: [EMAIL]consumercare@dti.gov.ph[/EMAIL].

This process, of not being able to fill out the form online, of having to go to an internet cafe (or such) with a printer, then filling it out, then scanning and then emailing it, in itself deserves a consumer complaint. But, that's just me.[/QUOTE]On the other hand, there is free software that allows you to enter information into PDF files. But, you're right, it's a hassle and one of the small inconveniences of living here I suppose. I've been here so long that I no longer think much about it.

GE.

If you are a fully vaccinated foreigner coming from one of the "Green" countries (defined based on cumulative infection over the past 28 days and its trend), you can now enter Philippines but will be quarantined for 7 days. On day 5, an RT-PCR test will be conducted. If negative, you are free to leave quarantine on Day 7.

[URL]https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210628-IATF-RESOLUTION-123-C-RRD.pdf[/URL]

How will they verify your vaccination status? You need to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (I have not seen one for Covid) or be validated by one of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (they are in 13 location, worldwide). Good luck with either of that!

You must have been in the "Green" country for the past 14 days before arrival. None of the European countries or US is on the "Green" List. China, Hong Kong, S. Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Taiwan are among the countries on the Green list. The full list is available at:

[URL]https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210630-IATF-RESOLUTION-124-A-RRD.pdf[/URL]

For a decent commentary on this policy, see:

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/07/05/2110218/green-countries-or-not[/URL]

In my opinion, this is a good start. But it is too onerous to be of much value. And of course, the list excludes most of the world's population who can actually travel and help Philippines' sulking "tourism" industry.

It is no surprise the Philippines is lagging behind, as it's just the latest in a long list of failed initiatives.

I am hopeful a 3rd country will step in and manage their COVID recovery program as they are obviously unable to do it themselves.

Case in point is the freeway system between Manila, Subic and Clark. That was managed by Australians.

Hopefully they will have herd immunity in a year or so as I am anxious to get back and meet some old "friends". My sense is that it will take some time to get things going again after COVID.

I would guess the hotels that have been shut down are mouldy and generally a health hazard, so it all needs to be cleaned, employees need to be hired, etc. It will take some time as you can't just flip a switch and be back to normal.

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2576729]If you are a fully vaccinated foreigner coming from one of the "Green" countries (defined based on cumulative infection over the past 28 days and its trend), you can now enter Philippines but will be quarantined for 7 days. On day 5, an RT-PCR test will be conducted. If negative, you are free to leave quarantine on Day 7.

[URL]https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210628-IATF-RESOLUTION-123-C-RRD.pdf[/URL]

How will they verify your vaccination status? You need to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (I have not seen one for Covid) or be validated by one of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (they are in 13 location, worldwide). Good luck with either of that!

You must have been in the "Green" country for the past 14 days before arrival. None of the European countries or US is on the "Green" List. China, Hong Kong, S. Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Taiwan are among the countries on the Green list. The full list is available at:

[URL]https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210630-IATF-RESOLUTION-124-A-RRD.pdf[/URL]

For a decent commentary on this policy, see:

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/07/05/2110218/green-countries-or-not[/URL]

In my opinion, this is a good start. But it is too onerous to be of much value. And of course, the list excludes most of the world's population who can actually travel and help Philippines' sulking "tourism" industry.[/QUOTE]

I don't even think moldy hotel rooms would be cleaned. The number of mold-covered clothes, shoes and bags I've seen at different SM outlets just left there to continue festering beggars belief.

Philippine's Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) just announced that returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can get their foreign country vaccination verified online.

[URL]https://www.rappler.com/nation/dole-says-returning-overseas-filipinos-need-covid-19-vaccination-cards-validated[/URL]

The online form.

[URL]https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/[/URL]

Is clearly designed for vaccine verification for foreigners also. But the DOLE announcement says nothing (yet) about verification for foreigners. I expect that this process will be soon extended to foreigners. This will certainly remove uncertainty about the acceptance of vaccination cards after arriving in the Philippines. The online form seeks all the details about vaccination and asks to upload your vaccination certificate as well as Passport bio page (see enclosed image). The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) will then make advance determination, before you fly or even buy your ticket.

Bottom line: OFWs are first to try this process. Then this will be extended to foreigners, hopefully. Of course, applicable to only people from Green countries (a set of countries that does not yet include Americans or Europeans).

New to this site, but have been in the Philippines for a while now. Most of my bar experience has been in Cebu (Mango and Lapu2) and Davao, with a few stops in the provinces in Mindanao. Am I missing out by not taking a trip to Manila or Angeles? I just got my 2nd dose of Pfizer in Davao (where I currently live) and am thinking about vacationing. I figure now might be a decent time to check those places out considering it is likely much less crowded. Does anyone know if bars are operating in those areas? Any help / advice in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[QUOTE=LaxinBuddy23;2577889]I figure now might be a decent time to check those places out considering it is likely much less crowded. Does anyone know if bars are operating in those areas? Any help / advice in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks![/QUOTE]Now is the time. Start by RTTF the Makati, Manila, and Angeles City threads. I tried to PM you, but you don't have that capability yet.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2578140]Now is the time. Start by RTTF the Makati, Manila, and Angeles City threads. I tried to PM you, but you don't have that capability yet.[/QUOTE]I will go through and check those threads out. Any idea when the PM function will become active? Looking forward to discussing those locations with you. Thank you!

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[QUOTE=LaxinBuddy23;2578157]I will go through and check those threads out. Any idea when the PM function will become active? Looking forward to discussing those locations with you. Thank you![/QUOTE]I think about a week after payment.

[QUOTE=LaxinBuddy23;2577889]New to this site, but have been in the Philippines for a while now. Most of my bar experience has been in Cebu (Mango and Lapu2) and Davao, with a few stops in the provinces in Mindanao. Am I missing out by not taking a trip to Manila or Angeles? I just got my 2nd dose of Pfizer in Davao (where I currently live) and am thinking about vacationing. I figure now might be a decent time to check those places out considering it is likely much less crowded. Does anyone know if bars are operating in those areas? Any help / advice in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks![/QUOTE]Some former AC bargirls have told me Fields has opened up. Bars are now Restos serving food with girls servers. Servers do not do bar fines. Quite a few FL are out there.

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2577177]Philippine's Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) just announced that returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can get their foreign country vaccination verified online.

[URL]https://www.rappler.com/nation/dole-says-returning-overseas-filipinos-need-covid-19-vaccination-cards-validated[/URL]

The online form.

[URL]https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/[/URL]

Is clearly designed for vaccine verification for foreigners also. But the DOLE announcement says nothing (yet) about verification for foreigners. I expect that this process will be soon extended to foreigners. This will certainly remove uncertainty about the acceptance of vaccination cards after arriving in the Philippines. The online form seeks all the details about vaccination and asks to upload your vaccination certificate as well as Passport bio page (see enclosed image). The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) will then make advance determination, before you fly or even buy your ticket.

Bottom line: OFWs are first to try this process. Then this will be extended to foreigners, hopefully. Of course, applicable to only people from Green countries (a set of countries that does not yet include Americans or Europeans).[/QUOTE]Green countries or countries under control, well we certainly should be one of those if not the leader. I have not worn a mask anywhere in over a month, well maybe a Dr. Office or flying but other than that nowhere. Baseball games outings and public events from what I see are back to normal in the US. We should certainly be on the entry list unless they want zero numbers, if that's the case then no one will get it.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2578430]Some former AC bargirls have told me Fields has opened up. Bars are now Restos serving food with girls servers. Servers do not do bar fines. Quite a few FL are out there.[/QUOTE]It has been open for a long time. Pretty much any girl in any bar / resto that is open will do BF.

[QUOTE=Beavis;2578504]It has been open for a long time. Pretty much any girl in any bar / resto that is open will do BF.[/QUOTE]If nothing else, quietly slip the girl your phone number. The worst that will happen is that she doesn't contact you.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2578556]If nothing else, quietly slip the girl your phone number. The worst that will happen is that she doesn't contact you.[/QUOTE]Well Westie, with all due respect. The worst that could happen is that she does contact you and then you end up getting sucked in because you think she is so hot. And then you end up texting more words than you ever thought humanly possible. Texting becomes your number one occupation. But then for one reason or another (maybe she's focusing on her work or her studies), you never see her again outside of her workplace. And that repeats itself a staggering number of time. Happened to a friend. 🤷.

All,

A year ago it seemed that the world was ending, and in many ways the way things used to be have. But believe it or not things are starting to turn around, and for the fellow Lurkers and Mongers' on the PI forum as well as the others we can now look forward to trips back to the PI again, if not tomorrow but a lot closer than we would have thought back in July 2020. That being said, here are a few of my just random thoughts I see based on what I've been reading.

1. The age of online trolling will slow down. I like many have been keeping busy just biding my time on the various sites like Tagged, Meet Me, Skout, etc. Meeting the random woman on these sites maybe giving a gift or two and getting the obligatory nude photo or video. Seen many scams out there, one picture on the profile, and once the "gift" is given something completely different gets delivered and that's just part of the game. I've learned that the moment you get an immediate request for a "castle" or "jet" I know what I'm dealing with. However the ones that have learned to play the long game may get an extra gift now and then. I bring this up because recently I've seen an uptick for immediate requests, since the advent of vaccines and some countries allowing folks to travel, I sense the providers are starting to realize that the days of their being in control are about to end. Imagine walking into a bar full of women, and one immediately comes up and asks for a "gift" and one bides her time and waits for you to sit down and take it easy. Which one would you go for? Women realize this since online it's a sellers market, but now with guys (me included) reducing time online, saving those extra bucks for a trip providers are starting to realize a return to the old days is coming.

2. Old locations, new paint. Maybe the travel shut downs will have a silver lining. Most of you have to admit that some of the oft frequented places where Lurkers would gather were rather dumps and I doubt seriously if they would pass any fire / life safety checks provided the inspector wasn't tipped enough. From Angeles, to Subic to heck even the much known Orchard Towers in Singapore, those buildings were dumps. Kind of hard to "close for remodeling" sometimes when you have people coming every night and if you are closed you will lose out to competition. Maybe some of the old places may go by the way side, but hopefully new ones will come up in their stead. One can only shop at so many places, and there is a limit on "high end" stores that can be built in areas where folks barely have enough to buy the necessities of life, so I expect the old locations with maybe a new owner and layer of paint will open back up.

3. Slow road to recovery. If you pay attention to the US Labor reports, you see there are more jobs than employees, and many site the Federal Government beefing up some states Unemployment benefits, making it a smarter deal to stay unemployed (depending on the job you do) and get an extra $300-$400 to their unemployment, and I would probably do the same. Same thing you can see now. Places are starting to open, countries where many of the Lurkers come from and have a little extra Euros / Dollars, etc to spend may find some ways to get back, but not the full stream as before. Thus you see the increased demands from women online asking for gifts up front (see my #1 thoughts). But once the travel spigot is turned open full, follow the money. Providers now don't have to "give it up" to get money now, but let them try that in places like Angeles or Manila when they are at home online and their neighbor is at the local bar picking up Lurkers. Pretty soon the online ones will shift back to in person.

4. Local Government will welcome Lurker business back. You can read the news and say that the Lurker business is bad for morality, but those same ones will be there with their hands out to the owners asking for their cut of the revenue. Also, those side business will be more welcoming. Can't go and buy late night breakfast with you and two women online, but you can if you are in a bar stumbling out and heading towards to late night snack before back to the hotel. Same thing as taking them to buy some "jewelry" or what ever one buys, as well as the myriad of jeepney drivers ready to take you back. Those side business can't make any money with the game all online. Unless the local politician has an internet cafe that he charges the girls to sit at, when more people start returning in person the more the money will flow more to all.

Rather long, but those are just my thoughts as I see them Whether in the PI, Singapore, Thailand, etc. One form or another I think that is how things will play out in the near future.

Thanks for some of the responses, guys. From what I've read, as of now it might make more sense to stick with the Makati and potentially Subic scenes (since most has seemingly relocated from AC.) I think I'm going to head up around the 25th of this month for 10-14 days.

Perhaps I'm biased in being a permanent resident that has been living here since pre-covid, but I do not see any the country opening up en mass to international tourists anytime soon. Yes, they have begun allowing vaccinated tourists from green countries in, but my understanding is they are still subject to daily arrival limits while still prioritizing OFW's and Filipino citizens. Perhaps they will try to roll-out a re-opening similar to Phuket-where select tourist destinations reopen because it's easier to vaccinate the local populations as opposed to areas like the NCR and Cebu. My guess is that Palawan and Boracay would be opened as a trial run. In general, the vaccination drive has not been going very well here. Further complicating things is the issue that many other countries are already experiencing in regards to breakthrough with the Sinovac vaccine. I was fortunate enough to be vaccinated with Pfizer here in Davao, but in general the equitable access to quality vaccines is going to be a potential road block in regards to tourism resuming at a level we have become accustomed to (in regards to the people making the decisions.) I truly hope I'm wrong, but seeing as I haven't been able to walk into a restaurant or supermarket in roughly 16 months (minus a brief 3 week break,) I am not optimistic. The country could definitely use a boost of cash from vacationing foreigners, there's no doubt about that.

Is anyone else currently in country that might be interested in showing the ropes up in the Luzon bar scene? The "bars" here have all been repurposed into massage parlors and they are chock full of new and naive talent. I expect that will be a recurring theme at girl bars throughout the country.

[QUOTE=LaxinBuddy23;2578918]Thanks for some of the responses, guys. From what I've read, as of now it might make more sense to stick with the Makati and potentially Subic scenes (since most has seemingly relocated from AC.) I think I'm going to head up around the 25th of this month for 10-14 days.

Perhaps I'm biased in being a permanent resident that has been living here since pre-covid, but I do not see any the country opening up en mass to international tourists anytime soon. Yes, they have begun allowing vaccinated tourists from green countries in, but my understanding is they are still subject to daily arrival limits while still prioritizing OFW's and Filipino citizens. Perhaps they will try to roll-out a re-opening similar to Phuket-where select tourist destinations reopen because it's easier to vaccinate the local populations as opposed to areas like the NCR and Cebu. My guess is that Palawan and Boracay would be opened as a trial run. In general, the vaccination drive has not been going very well here. Further complicating things is the issue that many other countries are already experiencing in regards to breakthrough with the Sinovac vaccine. I was fortunate enough to be vaccinated with Pfizer here in Davao, but in general the equitable access to quality vaccines is going to be a potential road block in regards to tourism resuming at a level we have become accustomed to (in regards to the people making the decisions.) I truly hope I'm wrong, but seeing as I haven't been able to walk into a restaurant or supermarket in roughly 16 months (minus a brief 3 week break,) I am not optimistic..[/QUOTE]Sorry posted from phone, so typos. Should have been "haven't been able to walk into a restaurant or supermarket and buy liquor, beer, or wine." Sorry if that was confusing.

[QUOTE=LaxinBuddy23;2578918]Thanks for some of the responses, guys. From what I've read, as of now it might make more sense to stick with the Makati and potentially Subic scenes (since most has seemingly relocated from AC.) I think I'm going to head up around the 25th of this month for 10-14 days.

Is anyone else currently in country that might be interested in showing the ropes up in the Luzon bar scene? The "bars" here have all been repurposed into massage parlors and they are chock full of new and naive talent. I expect that will be a recurring theme at girl bars throughout the country.[/QUOTE]As your timeframe is short, a typical 2-week block, I'd strongly suggest Subic. As suggested on this board, it appears to have barfines, which I am not aware of in NCR. The reporting out of Burgos so far shows a few re-purposed bars being turned into resto's only.

Regarding Malate. LAC has been re-purposed similarly. GPoint is not open. The KTV bars in K-town (Adriatico, Mabini) are mostly closed still and those that are re-opened are similarly re-purposed (and mostly empty at night; last night I walked into one that is open on Mabini at 11 pm, no customers, just a loud area with socially-distanced seats). There is, at this point, no point-shoot places where you can choose a girl and go get a hotel. I am also not aware of accommodations in the area that will allow multiple guests (either together, or serially, you have to register guests in advance).

The main ST places, Sogo and Victoria Court, have minimum stays usually of 10 hours (on occasion I have gotten 6 at Sogo, but usually limited to 10 or 12 hours which costs more), at about p1000. Eurotel Pedro Gil told me they are not doing ST. There are Pension houses in the area, but are hit / miss; you must go 12 hours (price can be cheap, p600), but 1 guest (some will allow 2), guests must show valid eye dee at almost all places now (and boy, does THAT reduce the number of available girls), and they can be full -- forcing you to go walking to find another. Reddoorz (each location, so far) has taken not only my eye dee, they take the eye dee of every girl I bring in (returning the eye dees upon checkout). One day Reddoorz refused the Police Clearance eye dee of my girl, not disputing that it was a real police clearance, but saying that it was not a valid eye dee. Reddoorz, Sogo, and VC can also be full at any time of the day. VC one day asked for p4 k for a 12-hour ST room; those kind of prices hint at a shortage of ST room availability.

The ST pensionne houses can be quite low-brow. A child's bed, 1 skinny plastic pillow, 6' x 9' room, separate shower / toilet room (no toilet seat) with a pipe sticking out of the wall about chest-height you can run a stream of cold water to shower, no sink, no mirror, bottom bed sheet but no top sheet or blanket, 1 towel provided (extra towel for extra pay, or not at all available), cement walls with "09943334 xxxx ask Patricia" or a dick drawn on the wall, floors / walls / ceilings cement. Cockroaches the size of your thumb that don't show up until you are in the middle of the ditty. You are rogering her doggy when the little brown bastardo scurries right towards her, head-on, face to face. She shrieks, jumps off the bed and runs into the CR and jumps onto the seat-less toilet, shrieking "COCK ROAAAAAACH! COCK ROAAAAAACH!" Your manhood begins to decompose when the little brown bastardo reacquires a new target: You. Well, that's what I heard might happen. Bring your own mouthwash and soap, and keep your shoes on!

Do yourself a favor, go to Subic. If the gogo bars are operating, then the hotels are allowing multiple guests. Other gents in the NCR weigh in please.

[QUOTE=LaxinBuddy23;2578918]I haven't been able to walk into a restaurant or supermarket in roughly 16 months (minus a brief 3 week break,) I am not optimistic. The country could definitely use a boost of cash from vacationing foreigners, there's no doubt about that.[/QUOTE]Interesting. I was in the province for a year of Covid, and only during ECQ times was alcohol banned in the restos or supermarkets. Same in Manila. I bought wine for friends at the supermarket a few days ago. That is separate from various Brgy which ban alcohol from time to time.

It's worth noting that my city is the jurisdiction of princess Duterte, so there's likely some overcompensating for the mismanagement of quarantines and consistently bad Covid #'s in Davao. I still haven't encountered a salient argument as to why Davaweños are any different from other Filipinos though in regards to drinking habits. It's been an outright liquor ban for all of Davao for wayyy too long. Silver lining: I've started brewing my own beers / alcoholic beverages and baking my own bread?

My tip isn't necessarily limited to only 2 weeks, it would just be a matter of finding coverage for my dog for an extended amount of time. It's not like I currently have anything else better to. In general, the point and shoot nature of the places I haven't visited is what interests me, although I'm not opposed to doing some work. I've been around Cebu and Davao long enough that I have plenty experience in both. I have no problem buying drinks and connecting over the course of a few hours, exchanging #'s, and then meeting a girl once she's off duty or on her day off. I'm also happy buying my 2-3 drinks and paying a barfine. I just figure the overall amount of talent would be greater in those areas as opposed to Cebu and Davao. Maybe just Subic should be my primary focus, dabbled in with some AC and NCR. I've heard Sogo is generally a good option, and I'm not going to hand ring over a 12 hour rate as long as I can do my business (even though it is admittedly not ideal.) I'd rather just pay the money and be comfortable instead of dealing with the problems you have listed with some places (been there, don't have much desire to do it again.) Brings back memories of some of the ST hotels in Butuan and Mangagoy!

Interesting thoughts and appreciate the time taken to pen it down. I'm out of Philippines and can't wait to return, but looks like 2021 is a wash. 2022 may change but considering the lack of work opportunities I see more WG in the business when things open up.

Accommodations are going to be expensive as sharing of more than 2 in a room may be prohibited. That could inflate cost of mongering. But most of the youngsters have been deprived of sex for last two years, getting a educated sex deprived chic for free is certain if you know how to connect and converse. Is my understanding right?

[QUOTE=Drbombay;2578884]All,

A year ago it seemed that the world was ending, and in many ways the way things used to be have. But believe it or not things are starting to turn around, and for the fellow Lurkers and Mongers' on the PI forum as well as the others we can now look forward to trips back to the PI again, if not tomorrow but a lot closer than we would have thought back in July 2020. That being said, here are a few of my just random thoughts I see based on what I've been reading.

1. The age of online trolling will slow down. I like many have been keeping busy just biding my time on the various sites like Tagged, Meet Me, Skout, etc. Meeting the random woman on these sites maybe giving a gift or two and getting the obligatory nude photo or video. Seen many scams out there, one picture on the profile, and once the "gift" is given something completely different gets delivered and that's just part of the game. I've learned that the moment you get an immediate request for a "castle" or "jet" I know what I'm dealing with. However the ones that have learned to play the long game may get an extra gift now and then. I bring this up because recently I've seen an uptick for immediate requests, since the advent of vaccines and some countries allowing folks to travel, I sense the providers are starting to realize that the days of their being in control are about to end. Imagine walking into a bar full of women, and one immediately comes up and asks for a "gift" and one bides her time and waits for you to sit down and take it easy. Which one would you go for? Women realize this since online it's a sellers market, but now with guys (me included) reducing time online, saving those extra bucks for a trip providers are starting to realize a return to the old days is coming...[/QUOTE]

Hi,

With the work from anywhere opportunity, evaluating if I can work from PH for few months (3-4). Need some guidance from senior members:

Can I keep renewing my tourist visa and be there during my stay.

I plan to take a serviced apartment, but at the same time don't see a need to be in Makati. Bit outside I guess should be fine. Any preferred locations and any idea on the rental for one / two bedroom condo would be helpful.

Lastly I'm not keen on getting a WG, instead looking to have a live in partner for the entire period. I know it has pros and cons, but that appears more appealing to me. How difficult or easy to get one.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Per the British Government and British Airways, no four BA pilots have recently died, either of COVID or anything else. Please do a quick google search and you will find many reports debunking this. Same of the claim that Pfizer causes Prion diseases. Yet more bunk that with a bit of googling you would have found. You would have found that one, and only one research paper, a short, three page paper from a J Bart Classen, a well known favorite of the anti-vax idiots, published. That paper has been disproved already for poor science and false or misleading information. Yet more bunk, you state vaccines don't work, well, they do, and people have known this since at least the late 1700's since George Washington himself had the US continental army inoculated. They did not know the process, but the knew if you pricked someone with smallpox with a pin and then pricked someone without, they would, usually, develop a mild case of smallpox and then be immune to it.

There is not 100% perfection of anything. You inoculate millions of people, a percent will die because a percent will die everyday even if related to the vaccine or no, no matter which flavor of vaccine you take. Jumping on these deaths and claiming vaccine related is just more false information. And yes, there is very, very small chance that any vaccine, no matter how carefully created, tested, and studied, can still cause problems. But it is the percentage that is important. You are taking a FAR, FAR greater risk going to work than you are from any vaccine. T.

Some good news. The US is shipping 3 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to Phils. "We are beginning to ship over 3. 2 million doses of J&J to the Philippines today," White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said on Twitter. Posted July 15.

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/u-begins-shipping-3-2-142159324.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2580640]Some good news. The US is shipping 3 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to Phils. "We are beginning to ship over 3. 2 million doses of J&J to the Philippines today," White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said on Twitter. Posted July 15.

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/u-begins-shipping-3-2-142159324.html[/URL][/QUOTE]I'm sceptical of that wording "we are beginning to ship 3. 2 m doses" does that mean beginning by sending 10,000 doses?

But more seriously the J&J seems to be a winner for distribution in Ph yet it is not getting the mainstream coverage possibly because it was late to market and the big deals had already been done.

Hope Philippines open by end of October. Trip meticulously planned using airline and hotel credits from last year. Lined up few new girls as well as old favorites including big boobs (attached pic) who is married now but still wants a romp with me. Virgin girl waiting (pic) . Got some normal girls in Thailand lined up (hard to do) . Istanbul trip on the way for sightseeing and see if I get lucky. Certainly want torture massage there which is famous. If Philippines and Thailand does not open do not know if airlines will give credit again. This time hotels are all cancellable.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2581422]I'm sceptical of that wording "we are beginning to ship 3. 2 m doses" does that mean beginning by sending 10,000 doses?

But more seriously the J&J seems to be a winner for distribution in Ph yet it is not getting the mainstream coverage possibly because it was late to market and the big deals had already been done.[/QUOTE]The first 1. 6 million doses of J&J arrived two days ago, though the article I read did not indicate where they would ultimately be used in the country.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2581576]The first 1. 6 million doses of J&J arrived two days ago, though the article I read did not indicate where they would ultimately be used in the country.

GE.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Well that's half. I am so cynical these days.

They will first be used on politicians, their families, their rich friends. Then senior bureaucrats, their families and their rich friends, board members of semi govt organisations like CDC and others, airport corporation execs, COMLEC etc.

The remaining doses will be held until all of the above are serviced and by then the doses will have expired. I feel it will be like the donated rice of the last typhoon which was allowed to rot instead of being given out.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2581576]The first 1. 6 million doses of J&J arrived two days ago, though the article I read did not indicate where they would ultimately be used in the country. GE.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2583024]Thanks. Well that's half. I am so cynical these days.

They will first be used on politicians, their families, their rich friends. Then senior bureaucrats, their families and their rich friends, board members of semi govt organisations like CDC and others, airport corporation execs, COMLEC etc.[/QUOTE]Insight from a pic. Approximately 27 million jabs in Phils now.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2583024]Thanks. Well that's half. I am so cynical these days.

They will first be used on politicians, their families, their rich friends. Then senior bureaucrats, their families and their rich friends, board members of semi govt organisations like CDC and others, airport corporation execs, COMLEC etc.

The remaining doses will be held until all of the above are serviced and by then the doses will have expired. I feel it will be like the donated rice of the last typhoon which was allowed to rot instead of being given out.[/QUOTE]I understand the cynicism, but here in Davao at least, it's not warranted. The government has been running a consistent, ever more pervasive campaign to get as many people vaccinated as possible and appears to have strictly targeted specific populations in priority order. I have a friend here who's from one of the richest, most influential families in the city, and even she could not get vaccinated until it was her turn to do so.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2583124]I understand the cynicism, but here in Davao at least, it's not warranted. The government has been running a consistent, ever more pervasive campaign to get as many people vaccinated as possible and appears to have strictly targeted specific populations in priority order. I have a friend here who's from one of the richest, most influential families in the city, and even she could not get vaccinated until it was her turn to do so.

GE.[/QUOTE]Agreed, had both my doses in Makati. Due to having a medical condition that puts me at increased risk I was seen as being more urgent to be vaccinated than many locals I know who registered at least a month before me. Both times I went the delivery of jab was efficient, there were no opportunities for people to queue jump as every stage was regulated.

[QUOTE=Muttley81;2583152]Agreed, had both my doses in Makati. Due to having a medical condition that puts me at increased risk I was seen as being more urgent to be vaccinated than many locals I know who registered at least a month before me. Both times I went the delivery of jab was efficient, there were no opportunities for people to queue jump as every stage was regulated.[/QUOTE]A friend living in Makati has some medical issues and was prioritised, and his wife was able to jump the queue, as she accompanied him. She is much younger and has no underlying health issues. It just made sense to get her vaccinated at the same time, and that I think makes sense. She did not have an appointment, but was clearly at the right place and the right time.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2583124]The government has been running a consistent, ever more pervasive campaign to get as many people vaccinated as possible and appears to have strictly targeted specific populations in priority order. I have a friend here who's from one of the richest, most influential families in the city, and even she could not get vaccinated until it was her turn to do so.[/QUOTE]Concur. All of my foreigner friends here (who wanted it) have been fully vaxxed (except one who is half-vaxxed), by at least a month ago. Advantage (at least somewhat) is their age: Seniors.

The process in Manila was as follows: You register on a government website, and they email or send you a Vax eye dee card with your picture and a unique QR code. Show it at your local Brgy office and a nurse makes an appointment for you at the next dose #1 vax site. Show up (with your vax eye dee QR code for scanning) and get vaxxed. Once vaxxed you get a card with your followup date for does #2. That's it. I have seen more than a dozen cattle-call vax sites around Manila, at Brgy stations and in malls. Hundreds or thousands line up. I saw a DOH graphic on FB recently congratulating Phils on a record-dosing day (just a few days ago) of 600 K doses in one day.

OTOH. A girl in North Mindanao tells me that there have been no general public jabs yet in her city of several hundred thousand. Front-liners and seniors only (they are still working the senior crowd). Not enough jabs delivered to the area yet. I'm not sure if the wealthy there are getting theirs there. Briz I will PM you.

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/vaccinated-people-75-recent-covid-071043169.html[/URL]

From Reuters yesterday, out of Singapore. Fully and partially vaxxed persons (hundreds in the past month) testing positive for Covid (mostly minor symptoms, if any). As asymptomatics carriers, they become infectious. From the article:

[I]While the data shows that vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases, it also underscores the risk that even those inoculated could be contagious, so that inoculation alone may not suffice to halt transmission.

Of Singapore's 1,096 locally transmitted infections in the last 28 days, 484, or about 44%, were in fully vaccinated people, while 30% were partially vaccinated and just over 25% were unvaccinated, Thursday's data showed.

While seven cases of serious illness required oxygen, and another was in critical condition in intensive care, none of the eight had been fully vaccinated, the health ministry said.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]"As more and more people are vaccinated in Singapore, we will see more infections happening among vaccinated people," Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

"It is important to always compare it against the proportion of people who remain unvaccinated...Suppose Singapore achieves a rate of 100% fully vaccinated...then all infections will stem from the vaccinated people and none from the unvaccinated."[/I]

I'm in Cebu City which still has an overnight curfew, and it starts at 11 pm. In Manila and the NCR the overnight curfew starts at 12 midnight, but from tomorrow night it will revert back to a 10 pm start.

START.

MMDA chief: Curfew hours to be extended in NCR amid COVID-19 Delta variant threat.

ABS-CBN News. Posted at Jul 24 2021 10:15 AM. Updated as of Jul 24 2021 05:21 PM.

MANILA (UPDATE) Metro Manila will see longer curfew hours starting next week following the capital region's change in quarantine classification due to the threat of the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta variant.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. Said they will be releasing a new resolution on curfew hours for the National Capital Region, which will be extended to 6 hours, from 10 pm To 4 am.

In a tweet Saturday afternoon, the MMDA said enforcement of longer curfew hours will start Sunday, July 25.

The current curfew hours are from 12 am To 4 am, shorter by two hours. <END.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/24/21/mmda-chief-curfew-hours-to-be-extended-in-ncr-amid-covid-19-delta-variant-threat[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2583090]Insight from a pic. Approximately 27 million jabs in Phils now.[/QUOTE]

Presumably this 27 million figure is for the total number of vaccine shots that have been delivered here to date - if so, allowing for the number of doses that have been used (see below), that would mean the current stock is about 10.7 million doses?

As for the actual numbers that have been jabbed, according to this report today (link below), 5. 5 million have been jabbed twice ie have been fully vaccinated, and a further 10.8 million have received their first jab.

START.

MANILA Over 5. 5 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with total doses administered topping 16.4 million, a government task force said on Saturday.

In a statement, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 said 10,866,238 have received their first jab against the disease, while 5,560,029 are fully immunized, accounting for 9. 58 percent of the minimum 58 million government target by yearend. <END.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/24/21/philippines-covid19-vaccination-update-july242021[/URL]

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2583941]Presumably this 27 million figure is for the total number of vaccine shots that have been delivered here to date - if so, allowing for the number of doses that have been used (see below), that would mean the current stock is about 10.7 million doses?[/QUOTE]Sounds about right.

From the DOH FB account. Some more DOH graphics from the past few days. 17 million jabs: 11 million first does, 6 million both doses.

Averaging 300 k doses per day (7-day average). Average number of daily reporting active vax sites: 1355 (last 7 days).

DOH priority categories: A1 (Front liner / Health workers), A2 (Senior citizens), A3 (Co-morbidity), A4 (Front liner / Essential Sectors), A5 (Indigent).

The other graphic is the number of reported variant cases. Currently 119 detected Delta variant.

Congratulations to Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who has won a gold medal at the current Tokyo Olympics. It is the first gold ever for the Philippines. When she won silver in Rio, she was the first Pinay ever to win a medal. It is good to see Pinays shine. They deserve a lot more than vagina obsessed sickos. Congrats so far to Japan too.

Medal wise, well done Japan, China, Russia, Hungary, Tunisia, Iran, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia (Colombia, Ivory Coast, Mexico.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2584955]Congratulations to Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who has won a gold medal at the current Tokyo Olympics. It is the first gold ever for the Philippines. When she won silver in Rio, she was the first Pinay ever to win a medal. It is good to see Pinays shine. They deserve a lot more than vagina obsessed sickos. Congrats so far to Japan too.

Medal wise, well done Japan, China, Russia, Hungary, Tunisia, Iran, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia (Colombia, Ivory Coast, Mexico.[/QUOTE]Colombia has a hot Archer chick.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2584955]Congratulations to Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who has won a gold medal at the current Tokyo Olympics. [/QUOTE]Just reading through her wiki page "Hidilyn Diaz is the fifth of six children. Her father was a tricycle driver before becoming a farmer and a fisherman. ".

Puts a new context to 55 kg spinner.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2585904]Just reading through her wiki page "Hidilyn Diaz is the fifth of six children. Her father was a tricycle driver before becoming a farmer and a fisherman. "[/QUOTE]Small town girl makes good. No, she makes great. Hi-five and go team Diaz.

Picture. 659 K jabs in one day. Things are looking up. Except that guy, the patient getting jabbed. Why does he look oddly like. . . Me?

Some of the best experiences ast the Tokyo Olympics were the heroic women who won gold for the Philippines (weight lifting), Thailand (taekwondo) and India (silver in weight lifting). All three deservedly got heroes welcome on their return home, with the Pinay, a sergeants in the Air Force, clocking up over $1 million and counting. My question is: how did all three get home as international travel is severely constricted.

Nesthy Petecio is in the medals' stakes, having made the semi final of the women's featherweight boxing. She is the first Pinay to win a medal at boxing. The last time a Pinoy boxer won a a medal was 1996 and the last time the Philippines won multiple medals was at the 1932 LA Olympics, when some of the guys here were in their prime. (bronzes in boxing, high jumping and swimming).

As Petecio is fancied to go further, the question is what effects this will have on the Philippines and Duterte's curfews? Petecio is from Davao del Sur so Duterte will want to milk it.

I would expect the place to go bananas and the lock downs to be ignored.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2586455]Nesthy Petecio is in the medals' stakes, having made the semi final of the women's featherweight boxing. She is the first Pinay to win a medal at boxing. The last time a Pinoy boxer won a a medal was 1996 and the last time the Philippines won multiple medals was at the 1932 LA Olympics, when some of the guys here were in their prime. (bronzes in boxing, high jumping and swimming).

As Petecio is fancied to go further, the question is what effects this will have on the Philippines and Duterte's curfews? Petecio is from Davao del Sur so Duterte will want to milk it.

I would expect the place to go bananas and the lock downs to be ignored.[/QUOTE]Manila, Cebu and CDO are all going into the most stringent quarantine conditions on 1 August, and I don't think the police are going to take any crap about ignoring curfew. My guess is that any outbursts of pride will largely be confined to online commentary, as was the case with the local weightlifter who just won the country's first gold medal.

GE.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2586335]Some of the best experiences ast the Tokyo Olympics were the heroic women who won gold for the Philippines (weight lifting), Thailand (taekwondo) and India (silver in weight lifting). All three deservedly got heroes welcome on their return home, with the Pinay, a sergeants in the Air Force, clocking up over $1 million and counting. My question is: how did all three get home as international travel is severely constricted.[/QUOTE]Probably by airplane from Tokyo NRT or HND.

Otherwise they will wait for their respective rowing team for transport.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2586335]My question is: how did all three get home as international travel is severely constricted.[/QUOTE]Without being cynical, as always, the rules are only for the common people. World wide, people have used money, fame or connections to skirt the "rules". Many celebrities, sports stars and the wealthy have been able to travel or return home despite quarantines, flight restrictions and visa limits.

Nothing unusual here.

Daily Mail: Covid: Scott Morrison is stumped by Caitlin Jenner quarantine question.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9812359/Covid-Scott-Morrison-stumped-Caitlin-Jenner-quarantine-question.html

[QUOTE=Goferring;2586638]Without being cynical, as always, the rules are only for the common people. World wide, people have used money, fame or connections to skirt the "rules". Many celebrities, sports stars and the wealthy have been able to travel or return home despite quarantines, flight restrictions and visa limits.

Nothing unusual here.

Daily Mail: Covid: Scott Morrison is stumped by Caitlin Jenner quarantine question.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9812359/Covid-Scott-Morrison-stumped-Caitlin-Jenner-quarantine-question.html[/QUOTE]Good link. The Algerian who wouldn't fight the Israeli was "sent home". There must be special VIP passes but Tokyo to Algeria would be hard right now. Australia is tighter than a koala's bum. But not for all, it seems.

[URL]https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cdc-data-shows-that-74-of-people-who-tested-positive-for-the-virus-in-massachusetts-outbreak-were-fully-vaccinated-11627665558?siteid=yhoof2[/URL]

As per previous discussion of vaccines and covid, this one on breakthrough infections, showing large numbers of fully vaxxed having high viral loads of covid. From the article:

[I]A federal investigation into a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this month in a Massachusetts county thats home to Cape Cod found that 74% of the 469 infections were among vaccinated people, a finding that raises questions about the prevalence of breakthrough infections.[/I]

SNIP.

[I] 274, or 79%, of the fully vaccinated people who tested positive for the virus were symptomatic.

301, or 87%, of the people who had been vaccinated and tested positive were men; their median age was 42.

Earlier this week, the CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, also said that new data had revealed that people who are vaccinated and test positive for the virus can carry the same viral load as people who are unvaccinated and test positive for the virus. This research found that cycle threshold (Ct) values in samples from 127 fully vaccinated people and 84 unvaccinated people were similar.

High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated people infected with Delta can transmit the virus, Walensky said in a separate statement on Friday. This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDCs updated mask recommendation.

Back in May, the CDC said that there had been fewer than 10,000 breakthrough cases among the 95 million or so Americans who were fully vaccinated at that time. However, data out of Los Angeles County has found that in June one-fifth of all new cases are breakthrough infections among the vaccinated.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2586677][URL]https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cdc-data-shows-that-74-of-people-who-tested-positive-for-the-virus-in-massachusetts-outbreak-were-fully-vaccinated-11627665558?siteid=yhoof2[/URL]

As per previous discussion of vaccines and covid, this one on breakthrough infections, showing large numbers of fully vaxxed having high viral loads of covid. From the article:

[I]A federal investigation into a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this month in a Massachusetts county thats home to Cape Cod found that 74% of the 469 infections were among vaccinated people, a finding that raises questions about the prevalence of breakthrough infections.[/I]

SNIP.

[I] 274, or 79%, of the fully vaccinated people who tested positive for the virus were symptomatic.

301, or 87%, of the people who had been vaccinated and tested positive were men; their median age was 42.

Earlier this week, the CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, also said that new data had revealed that people who are vaccinated and test positive for the virus can carry the same viral load as people who are unvaccinated and test positive for the virus. This research found that cycle threshold (Ct) values in samples from 127 fully vaccinated people and 84 unvaccinated people were similar.

High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated people infected with Delta can transmit the virus, Walensky said in a separate statement on Friday. This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDCs updated mask recommendation.

Back in May, the CDC said that there had been fewer than 10,000 breakthrough cases among the 95 million or so Americans who were fully vaccinated at that time. However, data out of Los Angeles County has found that in June one-fifth of all new cases are breakthrough infections among the vaccinated.[/I][/QUOTE]At least the vaccine helps improve your chances of surviving covid, if you get it. At this point I would like to know who is better protected? Those who have had the vaccine, people who have had covid and recovered, or people who have had both. I hate that government response is to want to put everyone in masks. My oldest daughter was a transplant patient so any family that wanted to visit her right after the surgery had to be trained in hospital PPE. I also was a trained HAZMAT first responder. The masks only provide protection for a max of 4 hours before they actually can be a hazard to the wearer. Don't get me started on how people handle the masks when they take them off.

[QUOTE=AggieDad1;2586701]At least the vaccine helps improve your chances of surviving covid, if you get it.[/QUOTE]Yes. From another article today regarding the same Massachusetts spike.

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/eight-hundred-cases-seven-hospitalizations-and-no-deaths-the-provincetown-outbreak-shows-vaccines-work-125324207.html[/URL]

[I]Though effectiveness varies by vaccine brand, most are quite potent against infection and exceptionally so at preventing the kind of infection that causes serious illness. Of the 833 people in the Provincetown cluster as of Wednesday, only seven had been hospitalized. And zero had died.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]Of those 346 people with breakthrough infections, 79 percent reported symptoms, but those tended to be mild, such as cough or headache. Nearly everyone recovered at home. Of the few who had to go to the hospital, several had underlying conditions.[/I]

Of 800 infected, only 7 hospitalized and no deaths. That's great and a vax tribute. But if 79% of vaxxed breakthrough infections reported symptoms, that means 21% are asymptomatic. We have both vaccinated and unvaccinated, some of each showing symptoms and others with no symptoms.

Previously on this board there was discussion of opening up countries to vaxxed travelers. This information flies in the face of that. Can you risk allowing in asymptomatic, infectious vacationers?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2586824]

Previously on this board there was discussion of opening up countries to vaxxed travelers. This information flies in the face of that. Can you risk allowing in asymptomatic, infectious vacationers?[/QUOTE]Many countries including Philippines cannot survive without tourists. Rich country citizens can survive with stimulus payment, eviction banned etc. Every girl I talked to has sob stories. They always had before but now with many of our targets are suffering because of KTV, bars, venues shutdowns cannot make easy money. Not many has expat support.

COVID vaccine is godsend. It has improved the economy of many countries who are not much affected by tourism. Lots of countries are opening up for tourists except for Thailand and Philippines.

Sooner they open up it will be better for suffering people.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2586854]COVID vaccine is godsend. It has improved the economy of many countries who are not much affected by tourism. Lots of countries are opening up for tourists except for Thailand and Philippines.

Sooner they open up it will be better for suffering people.[/QUOTE]The pandemic and the way it was handled has devested the economy of the PI. I feel sorry for the girls and all the small business owners who depend on tourism for their livelihoods. But I will also wager with anyone who cares to make the bet that the PI will open their borders before Thailand. Thailand is the #1 mis-managed vaccine rollout country with hot girls in the world IMHO.

In any case, I have been sending rent money to my longest running favorite Thai girl since April 2020. I have been shagging this girl since 2010 when I first met her, and she was the sexiest little spinner in Baccara Go Go in BKK. She is now a 33-year-old Thai women and frankly she has lost a lot of her youthful sparkle, but I still like her, and we still have good times drinking, shagging, and going out for dinners. This is why I continue to send her 3000 baht a month despite the fact that when I am in Thailand, I enjoy shagging a lot of much younger and hotter girls. Damn the Covid! I wish I was there.

Anyway, I am not trying to get anything more from this one other than what she already gives me. The amount of money I give her is basically pocket change to me. I just know she really needs and appreciates what I send her and that is all the thanks I need. Incidentally, all my repeat favorite girls in MNL and BKK asked for help, but this was the only girl that did not ask and therefore was the only one I helped.

I am looking forward to returning to Thailand and the PI hopefully by March 2022. But in the meantime, I have found a new playground where the girls are smoking hot, the best DFK & blow job artists on the planet, and very passionate in bed. I love my new Brazilian acquaintances and I am going back to RJ & SP for my 2nd visit this year in September. The sporting life is still good if you know where to go.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2586824]Yes. From another article today regarding the same Massachusetts spike.

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/news/eight-hundred-cases-seven-hospitalizations-and-no-deaths-the-provincetown-outbreak-shows-vaccines-work-125324207.html[/URL]

[I]Though effectiveness varies by vaccine brand, most are quite potent against infection and exceptionally so at preventing the kind of infection that causes serious illness. Of the 833 people in the Provincetown cluster as of Wednesday, only seven had been hospitalized. And zero had died.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]Of those 346 people with breakthrough infections, 79 percent reported symptoms, but those tended to be mild, such as cough or headache. Nearly everyone recovered at home. Of the few who had to go to the hospital, several had underlying conditions.[/I]

Of 800 infected, only 7 hospitalized and no deaths. That's great and a vax tribute. But if 79% of vaxxed breakthrough infections reported symptoms, that means 21% are asymptomatic. We have both vaccinated and unvaccinated, some of each showing symptoms and others with no symptoms.

Previously on this board there was discussion of opening up countries to vaxxed travelers. This information flies in the face of that. Can you risk allowing in asymptomatic, infectious vacationers?[/QUOTE]Some more info about the outbreak.

[URL]https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/07/30/a-gay-rights-activist-explains-why-the-cdcs-provincetown-study-may-be-fatally-flawed/[/URL]

So there is a lot more to this story than people attending summer concerts.

[QUOTE=AggieDad1;2586884]Some more info about the outbreak.

[URL]https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/07/30/a-gay-rights-activist-explains-why-the-cdcs-provincetown-study-may-be-fatally-flawed/[/URL]

So there is a lot more to this story than people attending summer concerts.[/QUOTE]What do you know about the credentials and expertise of this gay activist and his friends? Tucker Carlson got a BA in history from a little religious college in Hartford, CT that nobody has heard of. He has stated that he was drunk through most of his college years. Anthony Fauci finished first in his class in Cornell Medical College in 1966 and has worked on the frontline of HIV, Ebola and other infectious diseases since then. The internet makes possible a lot of open microphones for those who want to be seen and heard, but not all content is equal.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2586877]The pandemic and the way it was handled has devested the economy of the PI. I feel sorry for the girls and all the small business owners who depend on tourism for their livelihoods. But I will also wager with anyone who cares to make the bet that the PI will open their borders before Thailand. Thailand is the #1 mis-managed vaccine rollout country with hot girls in the world IMHO.

In any case, I have been sending rent money to my longest running favorite Thai girl since April 2020. I have been shagging this girl since 2010 when I first met her, and she was the sexiest little spinner in Baccara Go Go in BKK. She is now a 33-year-old Thai women and frankly she has lost a lot of her youthful sparkle, but I still like her, and we still have good times drinking, shagging, and going out for dinners. This is why I continue to send her 3000 baht a month despite the fact that when I am in Thailand, I enjoy shagging a lot of much younger and hotter girls. Damn the Covid! I wish I was there.

Anyway, I am not trying to get anything more from this one other than what she already gives me. The amount of money I give her is basically pocket change to me. I just know she really needs and appreciates what I send her and that is all the thanks I need. Incidentally, all my repeat favorite girls in MNL and BKK asked for help, but this was the only girl that did not ask and therefore was the only one I helped..[/QUOTE]You are a good man, I do the same. To most of us a few hundred bucks a month means nothing. To them it can be shelter and food. I hope more are doing this as COVID has hit them hard especially the bar girls.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2586932]Tucker Carlson got a BA in history from a little religious college in Hartford, CT that nobody has heard of. Anthony Fauci finished first in his class in Cornell Medical College in 1966 and has worked on the frontline of HIV, Ebola and other infectious diseases[/QUOTE]Very helpful of you to put things in context. For a little more context: it was Fauci who during the initial AIDS panic fast-tracked the toxic AZT drug which got a lot of homosexuals killed. Here we are now in another pandemic panic and it's Dr. Fauci once again on the frontline pushing experimental 'vaccines. '

Following along on the vaccine issue.

Headline: [B]About 99.999% of fully vaccinated Americans have not had a deadly Covid-19 breakthrough case, CDC data shows"[/B].

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/less-0-001-fully-vaccinated-224313663.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]More than 99.999% of people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 have not had a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization or death, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[/I]

SNIP.

[I]The CDC reported 6,587 Covid-19 breakthrough cases as of July 26, including 6,239 hospitalizations and 1,263 deaths. At that time, more than 163 million people in the United States were fully vaccinated against Covid-19.[/I]

I enjoy watching Reekay'sLifeBeyondTheSea YouTube channel. In this link he outlines changes coming to the BI which will increase the length of time a visitor can initially stay in the Philippines, but no longer allow for a Visa on Arrival option. Visas must now be approved through a Philippine Consulate prior to arrival in the Philippines. I only hope that the Philippines will be as efficient as Vietnam is in processing their visas but with the Philippines, change does not necessarily mean increased efficiency. Some posts in the comments section following the video may also be of interest.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQV_xgEkPl4[/URL]

[QUOTE=Amanut;2587779]I enjoy watching Reekay'sLifeBeyondTheSea YouTube channel. In this link he outlines changes coming to the BI which will increase the length of time a visitor can initially stay in the Philippines, but no longer allow for a Visa on Arrival option. Visas must now be approved through a Philippine Consulate prior to arrival in the Philippines. I only hope that the Philippines will be as efficient as Vietnam is in processing their visas but with the Philippines, change does not necessarily mean increased efficiency. Some posts in the comments section following the video may also be of interest. [/QUOTE]Informative post.

In the past, the LA Phils Consulate has always processed my visa applications in less than 24 hours when I send it to them. Always, regardless of what state I was living in, my passport and new visa was back in my hands within 5 days of my sending it. If I sent it (next-day air express, going and coming back to me) on Monday, it was back in my hands on Thursday or Friday. FedEx / UPS tracking showed it was at the Consulate for about 8 hours each time. The remainder of the several days was spent at sorting facilities or 'In Transit'. Also at the consulate are windows for in-person visa application. This too was fairly efficient; a friend tells me that after dropping it off at the window, the PP and visa was back in his hands in a few hours. BTW, it costs more to send it 'express' than it does to process the visa.

Having said that, its important to note that Phils government offices that are still open (some, such as city hall Makati, close some parts or all during ECQ), are operating at 50% employee capacity since the start of Covid, including the BI. They have reduced the number of clients allowed inside. They have gone to online appointment-only, so you can no longer just show up and 'fall in line'. Its possible that overseas Consulate or Embassy facilities might be required to do the same, so plan on a few extra days to get your visa processed for your upcoming trip.

[QUOTE=Amanut;2587779]I enjoy watching Reekay'sLifeBeyondTheSea YouTube channel. In this link he outlines changes coming to the BI which will increase the length of time a visitor can initially stay in the Philippines, but no longer allow for a Visa on Arrival option. Visas must now be approved through a Philippine Consulate prior to arrival in the Philippines. I only hope that the Philippines will be as efficient as Vietnam is in processing their visas but with the Philippines, change does not necessarily mean increased efficiency. Some posts in the comments section following the video may also be of interest.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQV_xgEkPl4[/URL][/QUOTE]I'm not sure the visa before arrival applies to countries that previously had visa upon arrival status. Take a look at the video link below from the Filipina Pea who interviews a branch manager from JRV visa consultancy. Another thing to keep in mind is that it has not been fully approved by the Philippine legislators and is still up for a vote in the Senate. Changes can also still be implemented before final approval.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqySx0881w&t=615s[/URL]

This site has a different take about changes to the Visa on Arrivals process. On this site a Filipino Visa worker says that the Visa on Arrival processing will not change. Her take is that applying for a visa from an embassy will only be required by citizens of countries who currently require a visa before arrival in the Philippines. Sorry for causing confusion, however I imagine interpretations will continue to unfold.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqySx0881w[/URL]

[QUOTE=Amanut;2588216]This site has a different take about changes to the Visa on Arrivals process. On this site a Filipino Visa worker says that the Visa on Arrival processing will not change. Her take is that applying for a visa from an embassy will only be required by citizens of countries who currently require a visa before arrival in the Philippines. Sorry for causing confusion, however I imagine interpretations will continue to unfold.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqySx0881w[/URL][/QUOTE]For those wanting to cut to the chase in this video, the discussion in the vid of not changing the current VOA system is at 5:55.

Got any you. S Military Retirees in here? I'm coming up on my 20 and looking to gather some info.

Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2588659]Yesterday's test came back positive. [/QUOTE]Wishing you all the best, I'm sure you are aware that the vast majority of those that catch it do go on to recover.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2588659]Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.[/QUOTE]Were you vaccinated?

If yes, no risks at all.

If not, risk stay low, but don't be late to visit urgencies if really breathing becomes difficult, oxygen can be needed in some cases.

Whish you to recover soon.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2588659]Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.[/QUOTE]I am sorry to hear you are not feeling good. Where are you? If you are at home everything will be ok. You just have to endure 10 days of feeling like shit. But call your doctor immediately if complications occur or if you are having trouble breathing. If you are in the PI, God bless, you will still be ok, but your experience will be noteworthy.

So, get well soon and remember that after you recover you will be Superman IE immune.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2589024]I am sorry to hear you are not feeling good. Where are you? If you are at home everything will be ok. You just have to endure 10 days of feeling like shit. But call your doctor immediately if complications occur or if you are having trouble breathing. If you are in the PI, God bless, you will still be ok, but your experience will be noteworthy.

So, get well soon and remember that after you recover you will be Superman IE immune.[/QUOTE]Worth noting, you are unlikely to be immune to all strains. My sister caught it twice working in a hospital. Recover soon NB.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2588659]Yesterday's test came back positive. Not surprising as I felt at death's door Hard to contract trace as I did not mix around much. Some of he medications friends are suggesting are positively scary: some thing that gets rid of parasitical worms in horses.[/QUOTE]Mate not everyone who contracts covid will be very sick. Take care and if the condition starts to deteriorate seek medical help. Good luck.

[QUOTE=PBtoCobra;2589219]Worth noting, you are unlikely to be immune to all strains. My sister caught it twice working in a hospital. Recover soon NB.[/QUOTE]I think I picked it up in my city centre or on public transport, of which I am not a big user. I am coughing 24/7 but the aches and pains like I am on the world's lumpiest, saggiest bed seem to be over. Although I didn't see it coming, I'd have figured this far into the pandemic, there would be small risk.

Some of the cures doing the rounds on the internet are Mengele stuff. I'll sit tight and hope my lungs hold out. Concentration is out and even typing this is a big effort.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2588659]Yesterday's test came back positive. [/QUOTE]Pedro: Hope you have an Oxymeter (it is a cheap device) to monitor your oxyzen. If the level falls rapidly, time to go to hospital. I hope it does not come to that. But many affected don't feel trouble breathing until it is too late.

We all wish you luck!

Another look. 2 weeks ago I posted the first pic, a BioSurveillance Report from the Phils Genome Center (July 24). My empahsis at the time was the Delta variant. The DHO releases this each week. Here we are 2 weeks later, with the latest numbers for the variants. Here is a breakdown of what has happened in 2 weeks, percentage-wise. Guessing this is one reason they are so concerned about Delta. Somebody check my math:

Alpha cases up 18%, deaths up 5%.

Beta cases up 17%, deaths up 14%.

[B]Delta cases up 278% (119 and 450 cases), deaths up 125% (4 and 9 deaths).[/B]

Gamma cases and deaths, no change.

P3 cases up 18%, deaths no change.

[QUOTE=TomJones06;2588362]Got any you. S Military Retirees in here? I'm coming up on my 20 and looking to gather some info.[/QUOTE]I'm retired Military Medically Retired currently live in Sosua Dominican Republic what Information are you looking for. To be honest I'm going to go to Thailand over the PI but if I can help I'd be glad to.

I am almost out of Covid. The coughing has died down and is not as incessant. My appetite is returning but I am still sleeping maybe 14 hours a day in spasms. Some of the advice here has been helpful. Although I will have better short term resistance to a recurrence, I am not more vulnerable to be re-infected.

The lesson I draw is covid cannot be avoided if one interacts socially at all. I will probably have to get the jabs and hope for the best. Travel throughout Europe is too problematic right now and even considering going beyond Europe with no good cause makes no sense Local providers seem the way to go but they are over priced and not of LBFM quality. Tough times.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2590702]I am almost out of Covid. The coughing has died down and is not as incessant. My appetite is returning but I am still sleeping maybe 14 hours a day in spasms. Some of the advice here has been helpful. Although I will have better short term resistance to a recurrence, I am not more vulnerable to be re-infected.

The lesson I draw is covid cannot be avoided if one interacts socially at all. I will probably have to get the jabs and hope for the best. Travel throughout Europe is too problematic right now and even considering going beyond Europe with no good cause makes no sense Local providers seem the way to go but they are over priced and not of LBFM quality. Tough times.[/QUOTE]So assume you are not in PI. Definitely suggest visit to a covid hospital and get an xray. Let the professionals monitor. Many get worse suddenly.

Current recommendations are getting shots even for recovered people.

ECQ update.

Well, its a bit of a ghost town again in Manila. Some street pics, mall pics. Also we gots us an alcohol ban, and all food is take-out only. The grocery store and maybe 10 other stores (food, pharmacy) are open in the mall. Even the mall's flagship department store is closed for the duration (Aug 6-20, if not extended). Street pics taken at dusk, mall pics taken 3-ish pm. Curfew 8 pm, so get your evening honey to your place early (if they allow guests). If your place doesn't allow guests (other than your registered main squeeze), you need another hotel. More hotels are showing now as Quarantine on Agoda. Even the ST hotels are now allowing only 1 person per rented room (ie Sogo, VC), even if online they are renting rooms for multiple persons (see pic).

And a link to this article: "Drone footage captures Manila under lockdown".

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/drone-foo...053331400.html[/URL]

Pedro, Get well soon! Hope you were able to stay out of the hospital. You are in Europe?

I live in a suburb, lots of green, space etc. I live alone, eat well / healthily and live a clean life. Moderate drinker. Non smoker, don't mix much. Yet here I am, having to factor in covid risks going forward. Thanks for the informed comments. Food for thought.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2590884]ECQ update.

And a link to this article: "Drone footage captures Manila under lockdown".

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/drone-foo...053331400.html[/URL][/QUOTE]Thanks Westie for the frequent informative updates. The situation in Manila that you have been illuminating helps some of us keep our Philippines wanderlust under control. Some of your mall photos look like Robinson's Place in Ermita, but I thought you were staying in Makati.

I couldn't get the yahoo link to the EDSA drone footage to work. I think Yahoo may have taken the story down. I found the same footage on Reuters and other outlets:

[URL]http://br.mobile.reuters.com/video/2021/08/09/drone-footage-captures-manila-under-lock?videoId=733945097&videoChannel=117763[/URL]

EDSA without congestion is hard to imagine.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2591735]Thanks Westie for the frequent informative updates. The situation in Manila that you have been illuminating helps some of us keep our Philippines wanderlust under control. Some of your mall photos look like Robinson's Place in Ermita, [/QUOTE]Welcome. That was Robinson's Ermita. In the grocery store about 2:30 pm, I counted 9 checkout lanes open, 3 of which had customers (1 customer each). Just prior to last weekend's ECQ lockdown it was a madhouse just an hour after opening. Still have to have a mask when in public, and also a face shield to enter the mall. However since the shield mandate was dropped a few weeks ago, many businesses dropped it also. Can now go into 7-11 or MiniMart with just a mask. I only take the shield with me now if I am specifically going to a mall.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2591735][URL]http://br.mobile.reuters.com/video/2021/08/09/drone-footage-captures-manila-under-lock?videoId=733945097&videoChannel=117763[/URL]

EDSA without congestion is hard to imagine.[/QUOTE]Roxas, Makati Ave. They are pretty dead even at normal rush hour times during ECQ. Good catch on the drone footage.

Must say that when Filipino are told to stay home, they STAY HOME.

Six days since the last one. See pics. Delta cases up, from 450 to 627 (39% increase). Deaths up from 9 to 13 (44% increase).

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2590962]I live in a suburb, lots of green, space etc. I live alone, eat well / healthily and live a clean life. Moderate drinker. Non smoker, don't mix much. Yet here I am, having to factor in covid risks going forward. Thanks for the informed comments. Food for thought.[/QUOTE]Glad to hear you are getting better. Have you been advised of any long-term affects? I've heard of some having symptoms for a loooong time but my info is 4th and 5th hand conjecture.

Hope you are fighting fit soon. 👍128077;129310;.

At same time I noticed many vaccinations going on in many places, many of my chatmates told me that they are fully vaccinated.

In Manila but also in Cebu, and Palawan, Puerto princesa but even some isolated villages fully vaccinated.

They talk about sinovac and also AstraZeneca.

That's good to hear, they try really to strongly improve the vaccination level which is the only way we have now to fight this virus, even if not the best.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2591912]Glad to hear you are getting better. Have you been advised of any long-term affects? I've heard of some having symptoms for a loooong time but my info is 4th and 5th hand conjecture.

Hope you are fighting fit soon..[/QUOTE]A friend is dropping me in an oximeter today so I can measure my oxygen. More to the point, I sleep round the clock but am always tired and want to sleep again. I wake from a deep sleep but am not refreshed. I am going to have a full check up when this is over. I did not not conjunctivitis or anything, just like an awful does of the clap for 3-5 days and a persistent cough that is now gone. The cough like that of a very sick baby, with the diagrphagm coughed out of me, like I have been badly bruised all along it.

Now I am perusing this site for a good recuperation spot for 2021.2.

Needs.

1. Ease of exit from Europe. Turkey and Turkish Airways seem best.

2. Ease of paperwork. Somewhere that wants $$$ and is not made change the rules every day.

3. Cash hungry women.

1 and 2 are the problems, big problems, not just for Europeans. Any country relaxing restrictions over the next months would be flooded.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2592131]

Now I am perusing this site for a good recuperation spot for 2021.2.

Needs.

1. Ease of exit from Europe. Turkey and Turkish Airways seem best.

2. Ease of paperwork. Somewhere that wants $$$ and is not made change the rules every day.

3. Cash hungry women.

1 and 2 are the problems, big problems, not just for Europeans. Any country relaxing restrictions over the next months would be flooded.[/QUOTE]I'm not European but I'd preference Cebu over MNL: big enough but not so big that everyone is paranoid; direct flights and other international transit options should the SHTF. Not to mention a metric shit tonne of girls out of work and seeking cash. Many more in the wider Visayas areas that would happily accept a bus fare and suck any residual toxins from your body.

I've also noticed a few AirBNB and Agoda adds highlighting that they are accepting tenants with no Covid or vaccination paperwork. I'm not sure if this is a good thing (signs of opening up) or a bad one (lack of containment).

Good luck with the recovery. Long term chronic diseases can deflate both body and soul.

Cheers.

After I posted, I checked flights with Qatar and Turkish into Phils. Both asking for papers and both saying no Europeans need apply as no admittance. Fares were expensive too. There must be places, mostly on a small scale I imagine, where Gestapo rules do not apply. I hear of ferries crossing the North Sea, no papers needed, train routes into Switzerland.

My soul is fine, I am doing the non canine equiva.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2592372]I'm not European but I'd preference Cebu over MNL: big enough but not so big that everyone is paranoid; direct flights and other international transit options should the SHTF. Not to mention a metric shit tonne of girls out of work and seeking cash. Many more in the wider Visayas areas that would happily accept a bus fare and suck any residual toxins from your body.

I've also noticed a few AirBNB and Agoda adds highlighting that they are accepting tenants with no Covid or vaccination paperwork. I'm not sure if this is a good thing (signs of opening up) or a bad one (lack of containment).

Good luck with the recovery. Long term chronic diseases can deflate both body and soul.

Cheers.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Amanut;2587779]I enjoy watching Reekay'sLifeBeyondTheSea YouTube channel. In this link he outlines changes coming to the BI which will increase the length of time a visitor can initially stay in the Philippines, but no longer allow for a Visa on Arrival option. Visas must now be approved through a Philippine Consulate prior to arrival in the Philippines. I only hope that the Philippines will be as efficient as Vietnam is in processing their visas but with the Philippines, change does not necessarily mean increased efficiency. Some posts in the comments section following the video may also be of interest.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQV_xgEkPl4[/URL][/QUOTE]Lots of the same small blob articles out there which says to me not much is really known what might happen. But one article did mention immigrants being involved in crime. Including kidnapping, smuggling, human trafficking, labor recruitment, and terrorism. So better checks and balances would hopefully keep those people out. Same with those trying to live off a tiny bit of savings or income stream.

Some more Covid info, new study on viral load.

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/double-jabbed-people-carry-same-140126657.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Fully vaccinated people carry the same amount of Covid as the unvaccinated, scientists have found in a new study that calls into question the effectiveness of vaccine passports and changes to the NHS app. Experts had hoped two doses of vaccine would significantly reduce the viral load carried by people who became infected, lowering the risk of them passing on Covid.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]However, the new study by the University of Oxford shows that the delta variant wipes out the viral load reduction. Instead, even the fully jabbed carry high levels of the virus if they become infected and are also more likely to be symptomatic than vaccinated people who pick up an alpha infection. The results suggest those who are fully jabbed could be as capable of passing on Covid as the unvaccinated, although they are less likely to pick up the virus in the first place.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]Despite the findings, the study showed the jabs are still helpful in preventing an infection in the first place, which will have a role in stopping transmission. Two doses of the AstraZeneca jab lowered the rate of a new infection by 67 per cent and Pfizer by 82 per cent.[/I]

Careful what you wish for. NCR (and I think Laguna) will have the last day of ECQ today, and move to MECQ tomorrow for Aug 21-31. Supposedly the Modified ECQ is a less-strict form of ECQ. Other gents here, do I have that right? However this time I don't see much difference. The restaurant situation stays the same (take-out only), curfew will stay the same (8 pm). The only change will be the lack of the Quarantine pass.

Pics from today's news online, including ABS-CBN. Self-explanatory, with:

Pic #2, group of people. Just guessing that is an ayuda formation from the past week. Its a cattle-call event, one person from each eligible home shows up to pick up cash given by the government when people can't work during lockdown. Last week it was p4 k per family, at least in the several Brgy where I know folks. Whatever this line is, its slow-moving, as you can see a gentleman sitting / resting at the bottom of the pic. Previous ayuda lines I've seen before were more organized and socially distanced and single file; not a large blob of people in such close proximity like this one.

Pic #4, Quarantine passes no longer needed. During the ECQ, many Brgy distributed a laminated pass, one to each family. Supposedly, only 1 person from your home can go out at any one time for food, supplies, medicine, medical. Over 2 weeks time I only needed to show mine once.

I understand at least one provincial city has recently dropped out of ECQ to the less restrictive GCQ.

I went to the shop early this morning, my first shop trip in August. I am itching to get a provider, even a local over priced one. However, I still have a cough and am very weak so maybe next week. Or the week after.

There are people moving around Western Europe, young adventurers and the like but it is flatter than a pancake.

I have been watching a lot of youtube videos on Thailand and Japan. All are masked up, pattaya / Jomtien seems to be just expats and long haul hookers, who have forsaken the war pain. There was a good video on how hooker prices have fallen way back to bearable levels. This is a few months old but it gives the price picture. [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKW4YMMRp1A[/URL].

The Japanese and Thai videos give a good current snap shop.

This [URL]https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/[/URL] shows the Philippines is much riskier than Thailand for the locals. I would hate to have a family depending on Duterte and his type.

With my own covid, I have been phoning everyone I know, gleaning opinions. All seem to be ready for a long haul of washing hands, wearing masks and avoiding The Great Unwashed. The relatively large number of anti vaxxers I know increasingly come across as nut jobs, Certainly their proposed cures are worse than the disease.

I have heard first hand reports of 3 year olds infecting entire families.

Where do we / I go from here? I cannot think of anywhere worth a punt. There are obviously lots of willing women in the Philippines, Indonesia, Latin America and so on. And plenty of over priced lardies in Europe. But is it over? Many European providers are now asking for vac certs (wtf) and they seem a waste of time in any event. Not the Pampanga / Pattaya sort who let things rip.

It also seems Turkish and the various Middle East airlines are being squeezed out in Europe, locking all possible escape routes.

The only way forward here seems to get into a bubble. But with crazy European prices, it may be a case of going back to World what One where the Austro Hungarian conscript said: Before the war, my wife was my right hand. Now my right hand is my wife.

My own situation is I am still recovering from Covid, I have a digital passport but I have nowhere I can go where the risk and hassle does not swamp the reward of barb wired pussy.

Quite simply, the old days are gone and are not coming back. Look at onlyfans (which thankfully is under pressure). Paying $20 a month or more to see some virtual BS. Bring back even a whiff of the old days before we die.

We are coming into the Northern winter again and talk is of jabbing and boosting us all. At this rate, even 2021 will be the good old days.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2594873]
Quite simply, the old days are gone and are not coming back.[/QUOTE]I hope a lot of the newer breed of mongers feels this way and seek local talent in their respective home countries. When I first started going to angels I feel like it was the hayday of walking street hell it might have even been better before I got there. In this hobby red tape and hassle leads to 9's-10's sitting and waiting for you to show up. This has changed over the past 10 years or so bar girls are no longer sweet and have kind of a bar girl archetype you can still find gems every now and then but they soon get tainted and jaded. This is the reason I started to travel to Laos and myanmar for less ridden hookers where you can still find 9's-10's sitting around. While you might see the hassle as hassle for hassle sake it serves as a firewall to weed out half hearted mongers. Just means that if you do get in you will be rewarded with sweeter juice. I do not crochet, nor do yoga, nor do I protest anything, I only monger it is my only hobby and the only thing I give a shit about.

[URL]https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/MMR?originCountry=ITA&nationality=USA&departureDate=2021-08-29&returnDate=2021-08-30&tripType=roundTrip&transitType=noTransit&fullyVaccinated=false&language=en-US[/URL]

The above is a pretty good site showing what is on and off the menu travel wise. I have bonked Burmese before, hairless wonders, but those days are gone as entry is forbidden. Here are arrivals at Bkk airport [URL]https://www.bangkokairportonline.com/flight-status-arrivals-departures/[/URL] though I doubt many mongers are landing.

Here is Laos. Most foreigners need not apply [URL]https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/LAO?originCountry=ITA&nationality=USA&departureDate=2021-08-29&returnDate=2021-08-30&tripType=roundTrip&transitType=noTransit&fullyVaccinated=false&language=en-US[/URL].

Here is (non) entry to the Philippines. [URL]https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/PHL?originCountry=ITA&nationality=USA&departureDate=2021-08-29&returnDate=2021-08-30&tripType=roundTrip&transitType=noTransit&fullyVaccinated=false&language=en-US[/URL].

Special rules for their own as remittances keep that national of Jolibees going. Mongers do not figure.

Those places are all locked shut. The videos of life in Thailand (Pattaya, Bkk) show very little action, a few street walkers trying to make rent and nothing more in Ghost towns.

I am thinking of making an intra European trip next month but the problem even here is travel restrictions.

I had been bonking a US based air hostess who had a side hussle on. But she landed here three times during covid and never contacted me. Due to hotel lockdown rules.

To9 nga is Covid free but a British chick has been stuck there for 18 months, unable to leave [URL]https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/british-woman-who-spent-pandemic-in-tonga/index.html[/URL].

Some other South Pacific land dots are also covid free but there is no getting there.

The good old days were Bugis Street and Johore Road in Singapore. All of that is like talking about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire or what Alexander got up to in Kabul's cat houses.

The problem is today's restrictions which, in places like France, are going to get a lot worse. US citizens (may) have, at least, the chance to wander south and dip into debauchery at Tijuana and continue south. SE Asia, no go.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2595072]I hope a lot of the newer breed of mongers feels this way and seek local talent in their respective home countries. When I first started going to angels I feel like it was the hayday of walking street hell it might have even been better before I got there. In this hobby red tape and hassle leads to 9's-10's sitting and waiting for you to show up. This has changed over the past 10 years or so bar girls are no longer sweet and have kind of a bar girl archetype you can still find gems every now and then but they soon get tainted and jaded. This is the reason I started to travel to Laos and myanmar for less ridden hookers where you can still find 9's-10's sitting around. While you might see the hassle as hassle for hassle sake it serves as a firewall to weed out half hearted mongers. Just means that if you do get in you will be rewarded with sweeter juice. I do not crochet, nor do yoga, nor do I protest anything, I only monger it is my only hobby and the only thing I give a shit about.[/QUOTE]

Per WC's recent post, it's a mistake to look for any sort of consistency in Covid response here, as the situation on the ground varies so dramatically both from city to city and, within cities, from barangay to barangay. Here in Davao, for example, which is (I think) now under the loosest form of quarantine, nothing much has changed since it was under the strictest designation. It appears that, over time, individual Filipinos have made their own decisions about risk vs reward and that most have opted for economic survival over isolation, albeit masking and social distancing appear to have become part of this city's social DNA. So, malls are open; small shops are open; traffic congestion has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and folks are evidently doing what they need to do to survive. At this point, approximately 15% of Davao's total population is vaccinated—with any one of several different vaccines—and the local government is doing a reasonable job the dispensing the vaccines it receives.

I think that the risk / reward calculation carries over into mongering decisions as well. In my case, I had plans to meet some old friends in Makati and then Angeles / Subic earlier this month. We're all of reasonably advanced ages and decided, in our collective case, that the risk / reward ratio remained too heavily skewed toward the "risk" element of the equation, despite the fact that we're all fully vaccinated, and despite the fact that the list of adorable young women awaiting our arrival was extensive. We simply made the decision that the anticipated pleasures were not worth the potential cost. Other, presumably younger, fitter guys may have made a different decision. The point is that the supply remains ample and, for those of us already here, the decision as to whether or not to take advantage of that fact is an individual one, as travel between cities does not represent much of a hassle.

My take is that, with the Delta variant now sounding a cautionary note throughout the country, the situation here will not change in the immediate future. I've seen nothing on any of the government websites indicating that the country is reconsidering opening its doors to foreign tourists anytime soon, but that could change overnight given that there's no basis here for predictability.

GE.

One of the main reasons why FilAms go back to the Philippines or go for the first time is a death in the family (most of them have a line in their wills that they need to take them back to the Philippines plot as a condition in the will) and seeing as there has been a back log of FilAms either not being allowed entry and "fear" that the Philippines is just not safe. The FilAm community that I am keyed into here in the US are all making plans to go to phils around December of 2022. It is kind of eerie when you think about how many dead bodies are in the cargo hold of a FilAm heavy flight to phils. Given covid and 3 years of back logged funerals I think we see a giant surge in travel to phils due to this wave. FilAms are what you call arte they usually stay in the best hotels sometimes coincide with the hotels we stay in so I'm betting on some of these hotels being fully booked for the funeral wave.

Did any one see this? Is this real? Or are they going to find some way to squash this?

"The bill states that the other grounds for divorce include: separation in fact for at least five years at the time the petition for absolute divorce is filed; when one of the spouses undergoes a gender reassignment surgery or transitions from one sex to another; irreconcilable marital differences as defined in the bill; other forms of domestic or marital abuse which are also defined in the bill; valid foreign divorce secured by either the alien or Filipino spouse; and a marriage nullified by a recognized religious tribunal. ".

"House panel approves absolute divorce bill".

[URL]https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150751[/URL]

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2595190]Did any one see this? Is this real? Or are they going to find some way to squash this?

"The bill states that the other grounds for divorce include: separation in fact for at least five years at the time the petition for absolute divorce is filed; when one of the spouses undergoes a gender reassignment surgery or transitions from one sex to another; irreconcilable marital differences as defined in the bill; other forms of domestic or marital abuse which are also defined in the bill; valid foreign divorce secured by either the alien or Filipino spouse; and a marriage nullified by a recognized religious tribunal. ".

"House panel approves absolute divorce bill".

[URL]https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150751[/URL][/QUOTE]Yes, I have watched this topic in the news recently. It was bandied about the legislature a few years ago I think, and failed. Just out of committee now, it will probably fail again. Other gents who have lived here longer can comment.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2595182]My take is that, with the Delta variant now sounding a cautionary note throughout the country, the situation here will not change in the immediate future. I've seen nothing on any of the government websites indicating that the country is reconsidering opening its doors to foreign tourists anytime soon, but that could change overnight given that there's no basis here for predictability.[/QUOTE]GE and I continue with the same dreaded thoughts:

1) Re-opening to foreigners is too hard to call (we all mis-guessed it initially when we said late 2020, then early 2021, then middle 2021. . .).

2) It could happen tomorrow, or in 2025. Check this:

[URL]https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-return-to-office-january-2022-date-large-corporations/[/URL]

From today's news (on several sites), Apple, Lyft, Google, Amazon, Doordash, Overstock and others are postponing US employees from returning to the office until at least next year. Big companies have also mis-guessed the situation, saying they would bring back workers early this year, then mid-year, or October, now looking at next year. From the article:

[I]According to Bloomberg, Apple employees will be alerted one month before they must return to the office. They will be required to work at the office at least three days a week, with the option to work remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays, Bloomberg said. Apple did not immediately reply to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]Lyft, which had been planning to bring workers back to its San Francisco headquarters next month, is now putting off their return "until we're in the clear," citing the uncertainty caused by the latest coronavirus wave. The ridesharing company does not expect its nearly 5,000 corporate workers to return to their offices until February 2, 2022, at the earliest.

"We anticipate the COVID situation will remain fluid for the upcoming months, making it difficult for us to land a clear return date without a possibility of moving it again," Lyft CEO and cofounder Logan Green said in a message to employees.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]"I think we all thought six months ago that September was going to look good, but 'Miss Delta' was like, 'Yeah, I don't think so. You better check yourself,'" said Danielle Ompad, a professor of epidemiology at New York University.

To that end, Overstock, the online furniture retailer based in Midvale, Utah, close to Salt Lake City, has announced it won't bring workers back to the office any earlier than January 2022. Overstock had initially targeted Memorial Day in May as a return date for the company's more than 1,500 employees in customer service, marketing, merchandising, financial and technology roles.[/I]

3) When considering future visits to phils, one must consider the wild inaccurate guesses from US companies and our own Phils return inaccuracies. Several things will be happening at the same time. From my reading of posts here and also in PM, I get the impression that the gents think that the allowing in of foreigners for tourism will somehow coincide with the return of the previous way of life, things we took for granted -- gogo bars, street girls, dating site girls, live band / nightlife, alcohol on demand, providers, lunch or drinks at a bar with your mates (ie, Cheers / Burgos or other), and the biggie: A hotel / condo that will allow you to bring in girl after girl (existed before, but not so much now).

My unfortunate point is this. What is happening now, when GE / Beavis / Mdeade or other gives a current sit-rep. You should pay attention to those things. While its possible the (fickle) government will allow in tourists, those current cyclical anti-Covid restrictions will continue on. If the US can't get to herd immunity, how do we expect a superstitious country to do so? While the government here is doing an admirable job acquiring jabs and getting them into arms, we still have a large percentage of the population that is not wanting one (for any number of reasons). Its quite possible that the current state of affairs will still go on after allowing vaxxed foreigners into the country. Only the very serious, vaxxed, and dedicated mongers will come, quarantine, and live for a week or three in a hotel that allows him only 1 girl, using ST places for his excess girls.

Is this what you want to come to when it opens up? I would like to be wrong about this.

Here is what Pinoy overseas workers remit: [URL]https://www.statista.com/statistics/1242763/remittance-overseas-filipino-workers-by-country/[/URL].

Here is the GDP of the Philippines: [URL]https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/philippines/gross-national-product[/URL].

Although I suspect the former figure is skewed by the normal US / Utah fixations, it is a fact that the Philippines, like Bangladesh etc, is heavily dependent upon Pinoys sending money home. A few stiffs in cargo are irrelevant.

The government of the Philippines must keep that large constituency of HK maids, Saudi shtt cleaners, Dubai hair dressers, Texan teachers, Norwegian nurses happy, or cash flows and job agencies will suffer. They are even on record time and again as saying that.

Self centred American mongers are not even an after thought in the bigger scheme of things.

Major international airlines are being kept afoat by governments buying bonds etc. Again, the Philippines is an after thought there.

Australia and NZ: anyone farts and it is an extended lock down.

The only hope is if some large country throws open the doors. Parts of the USA have done that but who in their right minds would want to go there?

Perhaps Africa is an option. Time to watch the Maltese Falcon again and look for new bolt holes.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2595185]One of the main reasons why FilAms go back to the Philippines or go for the first time is a death in the family (most of them have a line in their wills that they need to take them back to the Philippines plot as a condition in the will) and seeing as there has been a back log of FilAms either not being allowed entry and "fear" that the Philippines is just not safe. The FilAm community that I am keyed into here in the US are all making plans to go to phils around December of 2022. It is kind of eerie when you think about how many dead bodies are in the cargo hold of a FilAm heavy flight to phils. Given covid and 3 years of back logged funerals I think we see a giant surge in travel to phils due to this wave. FilAms are what you call arte they usually stay in the best hotels sometimes coincide with the hotels we stay in so I'm betting on some of these hotels being fully booked for the funeral wave.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2594818]Careful what you wish for. NCR (and I think Laguna) will have the last day of ECQ today, and move to MECQ tomorrow for Aug 21-31. Supposedly the Modified ECQ is a less-strict form of ECQ. Other gents here, do I have that right?[/QUOTE]There are 4 categories of quarantine in the Philippines, ECQ, MECQ, GCQ and MGCQ with ECQ being the most severe and MGCQ being the least restrictive. I believe that a 'modified' ECQ is a less strict form of ECQ.

Cebu City is currently under MECQ and has been since the beginning of this month. Prior to that it had been on MGCQ since September of last year.

All the malls are open, taxis, motorbike taxis, busses and jeeps are running, but there is an overnight curfew from 10 pm.

Restaurants are open for take out, dine-in is allowed if they have outdoor seating (many at the malls do have outdoor seating), but dine-in inside the restaurant is strictly not allowed.

Bars and pubs are not allowed to sell liquor, most if not all have closed, and last Monday they reintroduced the liquor ban at supermarkets and convenience shops. Fortunately for me a local convenience shop is still willing to sell me beer (I bought some this afternoon) but they have to be very discrete for obvious reasons.

Quarantine passes have not been used here for many months, I forget exactly when they were no longer required.

When MECQ was imposed at the beginning of this month the management at my condo building were obliged to reintroduce a ban on residents bringing visitors into the building, the s/t hotel near Robinsons Galleria that I occasionally use has closed but there is another one nearby that as of 9 August was still open.

Was looking for a reasonable fun in November in Philippines and Thailand. Including a supposedly virgin girl in Cebu.

All planning has been wasted. Contacts are put on shelves to be re hashed if they are still interested. All travel plans Post Phoned to March. Luckily all airlines honored without penalty. Hotel booking cancelled with no charge except one in Pattaya. If Thailand opens before November I may not have any luck getting refunded but it was for only two nights. If Thailand is still closed I will get refund.

Was planning to go to Cartagena in November. But decided to go to Costa Rica which I am very familiar with. Besides I had unused travel miles and credit. May make a quick trip to Sosua if curfew is lifted.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2595376]Was looking for a reasonable fun in November in Philippines and Thailand. Including a supposedly virgin girl in Cebu.

All planning has been wasted. Contacts are put on shelves to be re hashed if they are still interested. All travel plans Post Phoned to March. Luckily all airlines honored without penalty. Hotel booking cancelled with no charge except one in Pattaya. If Thailand opens before November I may not have any luck getting refunded but it was for only two nights. If Thailand is still closed I will get refund.

Was planning to go to Cartagena in November. But decided to go to Costa Rica which I am very familiar with. Besides I had unused travel miles and credit. May make a quick trip to Sosua if curfew is lifted.[/QUOTE]How did you find a virgin girl in Cebu, and also how do you trust that she is a virgin?

[QUOTE=Edward5;2595430]How did you find a virgin girl in Cebu, and also how do you trust that she is a virgin?[/QUOTE]If you are into this sort of thing, there is an untapped legal (well over 21) group of "tomboys" specifically the girls who look like guys who usually have bar girl girlfriends are usually virgins in terms of never being with a man and they are not opposed to giving it up for a reasonable sum. Only thing you need to get around is that they look kind of like a man, you can find tomboys who do not look so much like men. If you are into cuckold this kind of also can fill that fantasy, tomboys will watch as well if you ask them to. I have been offered bar girls "tomboys" on several occasions and I may or may not have partaken in this. They are NOT turned on by the sex and will do it for the money so you kind of have to get out of it what you will. On the occasion that I may or may not have partaken in this the tomboy whispered something odd, "she" whispered right before I came "cum inside me" and thanked me after wards? I may or may not have knocked up a tomboy or 2. I have no problem being a sperm donor for a happy couple although they do come looking for you to HELP with the expenses allegedly.

EDIT: you will get VERY VERY VERY weird looks at the hotel just a heads up.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2595296]

The government of the Philippines must keep that large constituency of HK maids, Saudi shtt cleaners, Dubai hair dressers, Texan teachers, Norwegian nurses happy, or cash flows and job agencies will suffer. They are even on record time and again as saying that.

[/QUOTE]It also works the other way. Do you think the nationalities mentioned are going to wash their own toilets?

Here the fruit industry has all but collapsed due to the lack of back packer slave workers who had to go Bush to keep their visas. Good luck getting an honest days manual labour out of a 19 yo here. Ain't going to happen. Better to stay at home paying Minecraft while getting the latest government assistance package.

Rant off.

[QUOTE=Edward5;2595430]How did you find a virgin girl in Cebu, and also how do you trust that she is a virgin?[/QUOTE]Of course, there are numerous sluts walking the streets who will blow your mind for the price of admission. That's the market that foreign mongers rely on. However, in suburbia and amongst the non-destitute, virginity isn't as much of a rarety. Of course, getting access to said girls is commensurately more difficult.

Queue all the "all Pinas are Slutts!" flamers. 😜.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2595296]
Although I suspect the former figure is skewed by the normal US / Utah fixations, it is a fact that the Philippines, like Bangladesh etc, is heavily dependent upon Pinoys sending money home. A few stiffs in cargo are irrelevant.
[/QUOTE]I think you misunderstood the post, I was not referring to its economic impact. When they do reopen they most likely will still be limiting the number of incoming flights / passengers and I expect heavier than usual bookings so an army of FilAms is not irrelevant imo. In the initial wave they will also soak up luxury services / hotels and as such will most likely unbalance demand. With in the Filipino diaspora FilAms are 4 million strong 4 x the Filipino population of Saudi and about the total all of the other Filipinos outside phils combined. When they do start to flood back in at least for US based mongers this does make a difference.

EDIT: Some of the places like the place I'm going in the eastern visayas which I will reveal in a report when I can finally get there only have one luxury resort and a hand full taxis. Overseas Philippines travel to their provinces unlike your normal tourists.

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2595593]I think you misunderstood the post, I was not referring to its economic impact. When they do reopen they most likely will still be limiting the number of incoming flights / passengers and I expect heavier than usual bookings so an army of FilAms is not irrelevant imo. In the initial wave they will also soak up luxury services / hotels and as such will most likely unbalance demand. With in the Filipino diaspora FilAms are 4 million strong 4 x the Filipino population of Saudi and about the total all of the other Filipinos outside phils combined. When they do start to flood back in at least for US based mongers this does make a difference.

EDIT: Some of the places like the place I'm going in the eastern visayas which I will reveal in a report when I can finally get there only have one luxury resort and a hand full taxis. Overseas Philippines travel to their provinces unlike your normal tourists.[/QUOTE]From real past experiences OFW and Filipinos have never stayed in the same hotels I have stayed in nor fucked the same girls I have fucked. Meaning less prior BS rant.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2595573]It also works the other way. Do you think the nationalities mentioned are going to wash their own toilets?

Here the fruit industry has all but collapsed due to the lack of back packer slave workers who had to go Bush to keep their visas. Good luck getting an honest days manual labour out of a 19 yo here. Ain't going to happen. Better to stay at home paying Minecraft while getting the latest government assistance package.

Rant off.[/QUOTE]So true. Westerners are like lap dogs who have had all the dog groomed out of them. European fruit companies are criticised for hiring Bulgarian teams to pick their fruit and not locals. But the locals have notions. Same with bonking. Stare at the ceiling and think of England. SE Asians (or most I have bonked) just go for it, making us lift our game. Teens here complain they have been the hardest hit by Covid, even though they have just been discommoded. SE Asians OTOH have to queue for food and stress over little things.

Look at the price of bonking. Europe is 10 x the price of SE Asia for 10 x less effort and 10 x less time. And young Minecraft fatties say they are hard done by.

Another one of those BioSurveillance Reports. From August 11 and August 21, the10-day change in numbers. Delta variant:

Cases from 627 to 1273, increase of 103%. Deaths from 13 to 26, increase of 100%.

The other variants are up about 5%.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2596235]Another one of those BioSurveillance Reports. From August 11 and August 21, the10-day change in numbers. Delta variant:

Cases from 627 to 1273, increase of 103%. Deaths from 13 to 26, increase of 100%.

The other variants are up about 5%.[/QUOTE]Westie, I cannot see these tables on their website at [URL]https://pgc.up.edu.ph/pgc-covid-19-updates/.[/URL] I want to understand what is the number they are sequencing. The table shows 3,500-4,000 sequenced in a week but DOH figures show they are recording 95,000 cases in a week. How random is their sampling?

[QUOTE=Edward5;2595430]How did you find a virgin girl in Cebu, and also how do you trust that she is a virgin?[/QUOTE]Like I said supposedly virgin. Would not know till I have sex with. She is definitely not tomboy. I have chatted with her many times cam to cam. Not a real beauty by any means. Maybe that is why she maybe a virgin.

My report is just out of frustration. With covid and its variants and Philippines and Thailand not open and maybe unlikely to open till next year.

Who knows by the time I go in March what will happen with virgin or anyone else. Girls are always here and now mode. I do not blame them. Previously I have supported girls for couple of years and they have given good service. At the same time I am under no illusion she is not fucking around or supporting her boyfriend. All those girls were really beautiful with nice bodies.

All the girls including virgin has suggested money donation which I politely refuse.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2596409]Westie, I cannot see these tables on their website at [URL]https://pgc.up.edu.ph/pgc-covid-19-updates/.[/URL] I want to understand what is the number they are sequencing.[/QUOTE]On occasion those DOH-posted BioSurveillance reports would show up in the wastebook feed, just the picture with the raw numbers. I copied / pasted those pics and posted them here.

When I saw your post, I went to the DOH FB page (see first pic): [URL]https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov[/URL].

Then I scrolled down to the 7th or 8th post (see second pic) and found their most recent August 21 BioSurveillance report: [URL]https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov/photos/a.812487448762509/4717550311589517/[/URL].

Try going from there.

Surrounded by poon I have become interested in variants and viral load. #sumptinswrong.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2596536]On occasion those DOH-posted BioSurveillance reports would show up in the wastebook feed, just the picture with the raw numbers. I copied / pasted those pics and posted them here.

When I saw your post, I went to the DOH FB page (see first pic): [URL]https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov[/URL].

Then I scrolled down to the 7th or 8th post (see second pic) and found their most recent August 21 BioSurveillance report: [URL]https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov/photos/a.812487448762509/4717550311589517/[/URL].

Try going from there.

Surrounded by poon I have become interested in variants and viral load. #sumptinswrong.[/QUOTE]Cheers. I followed the fb links and found the screenshots.

Unfortunately some of the comments on the post have severely impact my intelligence and I do wonder about the future.

Meanwhile back to poon, here in Au I'm just having my one local filipina MILF to fuck and sadly it's not appropriate in the west to ask to access her 20 yo daughter. Whereas if I was sitting in a tacloban hotel it would seem a reasonable request.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2596838]Meanwhile back to poon, here in Au I'm just having my one local filipina MILF to fuck[/QUOTE]Haha bragging? Complaining?

On a note completely unrelated to poon or Covid, the attached pic. Apparently a high-speed beast is to be built to run from Manila directly to Clark airport. The advertisement does not say the location in Manila; a reasonable guess would be NAIA.

Here is a gem. Citations for mask-less, I understand, its the law. From the article:

[I]At least 39,392 persons were accosted in Metro Manila for violating COVID-19 protocols since the region shifted to the less stringent modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ)[/I]

The article was from several days ago. The number is now 50 k+ since Saturday.

[QUOTE=TravelingMan3;2589660]I'm retired Military Medically Retired currently live in Sosua Dominican Republic what Information are you looking for. To be honest I'm going to go to Thailand over the PI but if I can help I'd be glad to.[/QUOTE]Sorry for the late reply, had to do some underway time. I'm getting close to the end of the road and the state of the you. S leaves a lot to be desired. I've spent a lot of time in the PI over the years, so I know my pension + disability will go pretty far. I'm looking to see the experiences of others and formulate a game plan for when my time comes to hang up the uniform and migrate to greener pastures.

Here we go. Duterte allowed Casinos in Boracay. The Chinese are warming up for there new Casino Heaven!

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/27/21/duterte-to-allow-gambling-in-boracay-for-govt-funds[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2597674]Haha bragging? Complaining?

On a note completely unrelated to poon or Covid, the attached pic. Apparently a high-speed beast is to be built to run from Manila directly to Clark airport. The advertisement does not say the location in Manila; a reasonable guess would be NAIA.[/QUOTE]I thought that must just about be ready to launch. In Clark it was planned to arrive at SM Clark mall and then connect to NAIA. It was on the books when I was working there in 2018.

My Filipina MILF comment was a complaint. Just one option.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2597674]Haha bragging? Complaining?

On a note completely unrelated to poon or Covid, the attached pic. Apparently a high-speed beast is to be built to run from Manila directly to Clark airport. The advertisement does not say the location in Manila; a reasonable guess would be NAIA.[/QUOTE]Typical big talk from Filipino leaders who hope to benefit from it. This has been on the books for a number of years. The Manila end is supposed to be Tutuban station in Manila City just west of the Divisoria shopping areas. Why? Because there is already a right of way from the defunct northern arm of the Philippine National Railway. In theory, even the southern arm proceeds up through Manila, crossing under LRT1 at Blumentritt, and then swings south to Tutuban. The right of way has seen people grab the rails of the old northern arm and cash them in for scrap metal. But the right of way is there and visible on Google Earth, dotted here and there with some squatter homes. The old northern PNR was a single narrow gauge rail, whereas the new line will be twin rails of standard gauge.

There is some Japanese authority that is supposed to be building the new line. Interestingly, about three years ago concrete overhead bridge structure was built through Malabon and Valenzuela, but it peters out as it gets into Bulacan Province. Following the old route, it is supposed to go through Malolos in Bulacan and on to Angeles and Clark Field.

But there are other folks opposed to a rail line to Clark, since there are competing interests planning a new international airport for either Bulacan or Cavite. I'm sure it will all unfold in the very near future, just like the new LRT station at Trinoma Mall intended to link the MRT, LRT1 and new lines headed out Commonwealth Avenue and another to transcend Quezon City headed to Recto. It's all right around the corner.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2598111]But there are other folks opposed to a rail line to Clark,..[/QUOTE]Easy to hold up a bus, much harder to hold up a high speed train. Below is a video a guy taking a homemade cart for a ride on train tracks.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBedlFuKlSg[/URL]

[QUOTE=Breadman;2598550]Easy to hold up a bus, much harder to hold up a high speed train. Below is a video a guy taking a homemade cart for a ride on train tracks.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBedlFuKlSg[/URL][/QUOTE]Interesting. Appears to be the narrow gauge southern arm of the PNR. Spent about 15 minutes hunting down the location. There is a Parian Road that transects the PNR at this angle in the Municipality of Calamba in Laguna Province. The low water river is presumably the San Juan River. Calamba had about 50,000 people, then it swelled to 80,000 over a span of three months ten years ago, because of relocating squatters from Metro Manila's flood-prone river banks. Calamba's officials had no say in the matter.

The relocation policy was a major failure because the relocation site had no nearby jobs, schools, or public transportation. Adults from the site simply returned to Manila during the week to find work, returning weekends to the family, and left kids behind in Calamba. Crime and teenage pregnancy spiked. Later some NGOs and the Catholic Church brought in livelihood centers, childcare, and social services.

Moral of the story: governments like the Philippines often apply knee-jerk solutions to problems that are much more complicated. The triggering event here was Typhoon Onday, which drowned a lot of squatters along the Marikina and Pasig Rivers and their tributaries. President Aquino blamed the squatters, claiming their homes blocked the normal flow of river water. He instructed the Department of Interior and Local Government to relocate them, even if it meant bulldozing down their shacks. So, geographic therapy: send them to some other unsuspecting local government and don't worry about problems like schools, transportation, and jobs.

Sorry. End of social studies lecture.

Six-day analysis, August 21 to August 27, for Delta. Cases up from 1273 to 1789, a 40% increase. Deaths up from 26 to 33, a 27% increase.

Dishonorable mention for P-3 variant: Cases up from 388 to 429, a 10% increase. The others are up about 5%.

Manila's MECQ extends for 2 more weeks.

HK stops PAL flights for 2 weeks.

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/31/2123716/hong-kong-bans-pal-flights-2-weeks?fbclid=IwAR1YCMlfMlEv8qGXgUnNhyZrjE7XaP9L-cd5AiWsRLK9w9LKaO6_K6TopGg[/URL]

From the article:

[I]The two-week ban, according to the South China Morning Post report, was imposed after three of the seven COVID-19 cases confirmed in Hong Kong on Sunday were found to have come from PALs flight PR300 from Manila.

PAL said all three passengers, two Filipinos and one Chinese national, presented negative COVID-19 test results when they checked in for their flight.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2598877]
Manila's MECQ extends for 2 more weeks.[/QUOTE]One week only until 7th. (For now).

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2598877]Six-day analysis, August 21 to August 27, for Delta. Cases up from 1273 to 1789, a 40% increase. Deaths up from 26 to 33, a 27% increase.

Dishonorable mention for P-3 variant: Cases up from 388 to 429, a 10% increase. The others are up about 5%.

Manila's MECQ extends for 2 more weeks.[/QUOTE]There was a piece on the news here (US) a few nights ago that some governments are taking a approach "learn to live with it" as far as COVID goes. This appears to be a sane policy moving forward. What some of these countries are doing is just crazy. Example. Deaths up to 26 and 33 . Really?? How many people live in Manila 15 million or so and 33 died. WOW! 33. I bet more die in car wrecks and other accidents than that. You cannot shut these countries down because someone might die. People die everyday from various things. But look though who is really dying. The old, sick and obese. Do the healthy die, sometimes but usually they recover. It will need to become the common flu which kills people every year and no one blinks a eye, if not this will never end. COVID will never completely go away. What they are doing is insane and destroying their people and their economies'.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2599463]Deaths up to 26 and 33 . Really?? How many people live in Manila 15 million or so and 33 died. WOW! 33. I bet more die in car wrecks and other accidents than that. You cannot shut these countries down because someone might die.[/QUOTE]I agree with you that a learn to live with it approach will be necessary before too many people starve to death. It would be interesting (perhaps a little morbid) to compare deaths from increased poverty to Covid19 deaths over the last 2 years. Especially so in poor economies like PI with no safety nets.

Unfortunately, your comparison to MVAs is not too applicable as a crashed car doesn't ricochet off and cause 3 other accidents. It's the exponential growth that has the authorities worried and why draconian remedies are being put in place. Look at how many areas went from few to thousands of cases in the blink of an eye. The biggest concern is if the disease spreads so much that it over runs limited heath services and then the sick can't even be treated and any form of control then falls apart: reports of India and Indonesia running out of oxygen, and PI running out of nurses.

Hopefully, we don't get too many mutations, vaccines limit the spread so that those that are sick can be treated before they infect others, reasonable controls can be put in place and be effective, and then the gates to Nirvana can reopen.

Fuckk I need a holiday. 😁.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2599463]Example. Deaths up to 26 and 33 . Really??[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2599513]Unfortunately, your comparison to MVAs is not too applicable as a crashed car doesn't ricochet off and cause 3 other accidents. It's the exponential growth that has the authorities worried and why draconian remedies are being put in place. Look at how many areas went from few to thousands of cases in the blink of an eye. The biggest concern is if the disease spreads so much that it over runs limited heath services and then the sick can't even be treated and any form of control then falls apart: reports of India and Indonesia running out of oxygen, and PI running out of nurses.[/QUOTE]See pic. I think G is correct, the problem is not the number of deaths, it is the rapid growth rate. Over the six days mentioned, that was 27%. For a 7-day rate, that would be 30-31% (4. 5% per day). On my handy-dandy spreadsheet, I started with 33 deaths. I increased that weekly by 30%. While 33 deaths might be considered small in one week against 15 million people, unchecked after 6 months (24 weeks) that will be almost 18,000 deaths per week. That's just for Delta. I would say anyone would be crazy not to invest their money at this rate if they could.

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2599463]There was a piece on the news here (US) a few nights ago that some governments are taking a approach "learn to live with it" as far as COVID goes. This appears to be a sane policy moving forward. What some of these countries are doing is just crazy.[/QUOTE]I think you are on to something. Duterte and other leaders have hinted at such. As you have many countries with a large % of their populations who won't consider vaccinating (regardless their reasons), eventually we all have to learn to live with it (no different than the flu). Do continued lockdowns stop the inevitable? Slow the inevitable? At what cost?

Added weight for this. I was reading an article last week with those stats, I wish I'd saved the link, ABS-CBN I think. They were running down the changes from ECQ to MECQ. The end of the article said that the IATF, the government's medical / science crew that makes recommendations on lockdown severity, has realized that the recent ECQ lockdown did not see the previous drops in covid cases. Cases went up even with a stricter curfew, alcohol bans, quarantine passes, etc. The IATF would like to recommend a different strategy, but the article didn't point out that new strategy (I am guessing there is no other strategy).

I work in direct health care in a large metropolitan hospital. We strive to save people's lives and discharge them in better health than when they entered. Some Covids come into the ICU and when they get better they are transferred to a regular care unit for the rest of their recuperation. For others the order is reversed and from the ICU their fate is the cold and lonely hospital morgue.

Lately we have become beleaguered by a spike in new Covid cases. A small anecdote explains the terrible situation. A guy runs away from a dog who is attacking him. He falls and sustains a head injury. He comes to the ER and placed on a stretcher awaiting treatment for his injuries. He is awake and alert.

However the ER is clogged by scores of individuals with the newly surging Covid. None of them had been vaccinated. The fellow with the head injury dutifully waits his turn. His mother notes that he is no longer awake and believes that he is sleeping. 4 hours later he is seen by the staff and we realize he is now comatose.

Now the hospital did nothing wrong. When assessing the walk-in patients the triage nurse correctly determined that the critically ill Covid patients had more immediate need than others. Perhaps they were at death's door.

In any event one cannot help the temptation to cast some blame on those unvaccinated infidels. Yet that is not our province to make moral judgements.

One of the hallmarks of our civilization is that we care for others, even jailed murderers and mongers.

The Rose. Having already had Covid why would I even entertain getting the jab, which doesn't stop one from contracting or spreading the pizza virus.

[QUOTE=DickBump;2600488]The Rose. Having already had Covid why would I even entertain getting the jab.[/QUOTE]

I can't speak for Rose but

Because you have a choice on your next entry to RP. You do want to go back to punter heaven and start enjoying some pinay action?

RP will for sure have entry requirements. You can get a taste already here [URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/EligiblePaxForTravelToPH[/URL].

There will be the bunch of unvaccinated horny guys at some immigration counter being denied entry and arguing the toss. You can join them and argue your case there.

And it's only going to get harder for the unvaccinated as governments see this as a big stick approach. (once again, please reserve your arguments for the RP immigration counter.).

How motivating is the thought of unli 21 yo filipina available for 24 x 7 BBBJ with CIM, CIP & CIA?

Free jab v Pussy holiday. I'm already vaccinated and eagerly checking the travel pages daily.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2600508]

There will be the bunch of unvaccinated horny guys at some immigration counter being denied entry and arguing the toss. You can join them and argue your case there.

[/QUOTE]It won't even get to that. Soon no airline will take the reputational risk of being flying Petri dishes and delivering 400 newly infected passengers because they accepted the unvaccinated.

Have a look at the decimated cruise industry after numerous onboard outbreaks.

Article regarding chances of contracting Covid after vaccination.

[URL]https://www.nytimes.com/article/breakthrough-infections-covid-19-coronavirus.html?te=1&nl=updates-from-the-newsroom&emc=edit_ufn_20210904[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Dr. Balters team has recently collected surveillance data that give us a clearer picture of the difference in risk to the vaccinated and unvaccinated as the Delta variant surged from May 1 through July 25. They studied infections in 10,895 fully vaccinated people and 30,801 unvaccinated people. The data showed that:

The rate of infection in unvaccinated people is five times the rate of infection in vaccinated people. By the end of the study period, the age-adjusted incidence of Covid-19 among unvaccinated persons was 315.1 per 100,000 people over a seven-day period compared to 63.8 per 100,000 incidence rate among fully vaccinated people. (Age adjustment is a statistical method used so the data are representative of the general population.)

The rate of hospitalization among the vaccinated was 1 per 100,000 people. The age-adjusted hospitalization rate in unvaccinated persons was 29.4 per 100,000.

Older vaccinated people were most vulnerable to serious illness after a breakthrough infection. The median age of vaccinated people who were hospitalized for Covid was 64 years. Among unvaccinated people who were hospitalized, the median age was 49.[/I]

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From the same article, referencing this study:

[URL]https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.28.21261295v1.full[/URL]

Regarding whether vaxxed persons can transmit to others (using viral load as indicator; Delta only):

[I]Another study from Singapore looked at vaccinated and unvaccinated people infected with the Delta variant. The researchers found that while viral loads in vaccinated and unvaccinated workers are similar at the onset of illness, the amount of virus declines more rapidly in the vaccinated after the first week, suggesting vaccinated people are infectious for a shorter period of time.[/I]

It kind of seems like we can go back after Sept 5th if we are vaccinated. Am I wrong? That would be fantastic.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2600508]I can't speak for Rose but

Because you have a choice on your next entry to RP. You do want to go back to punter heaven and start enjoying some pinay action?

RP will for sure have entry requirements. You can get a taste already here [URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/EligiblePaxForTravelToPH[/URL].

There will be the bunch of unvaccinated horny guys at some immigration counter being denied entry and arguing the toss. You can join them and argue your case there.

And it's only going to get harder for the unvaccinated as governments see this as a big stick approach. (once again, please reserve your arguments for the RP immigration counter.).

How motivating is the thought of unli 21 yo filipina available for 24 x 7 BBBJ with CIM, CIP & CIA?

Free jab v Pussy holiday. I'm already vaccinated and eagerly checking the travel pages daily.[/QUOTE]

[URL]https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/09/04/2124833/philippine-airlines-files-bankruptcy?fbclid=IwAR1AaVdUD595o_ca7779sbusWX1RyRWhE-dr2WwtJyVMSP55fNshDDJSRF4[/URL]

I am surprised so few airlines have gone belly up. Anyway, this is just another nail into the mongering coffin.

I see no hope of banging LBFMs there for a long time (when I will definitely be past it). The first white trash to return would be the Ossies who have draconian lock down measures. Allowing Koreans have the keys to the candy store would lead to other issues when Covid outbreaks occur.

[QUOTE=FuriousGeorge;2600667]It kind of seems like we can go back after Sept 5th if we are vaccinated. Am I wrong? That would be fantastic.[/QUOTE]Depends on who are "we"? We = mongers NO. Mongers = tourist NO.

[QUOTE=FuriousGeorge;2600667]It kind of seems like we can go back after Sept 5th if we are vaccinated. Am I wrong? That would be fantastic.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2600762]Depends on who are "we"? We = mongers NO. Mongers = tourist NO.[/QUOTE][URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/EligiblePaxForTravelToPH[/URL]

Filipinos yes. Foreigners if they are: 1) The spouse or parent of a Filipino; 2) Dual citizen; 3) Foreign government worker (possible Embassy staff, or NGO, and just guessing); 4) Seafarers with 9 (c) visa; 5) Those with eligible certificates, RC or CRPC (unclear to me what those are); 6) Those with eligible visas (seems unclear what that is); 7) Investors with special authority (unclear again).

#6 above, eligible visas. It does mention the 9 (a) visa. I think that is the normal Embassy-granted, 59-day, pre-arrival visa? It does mention having to follow IATF rules:

[I]Conditions of the IATF-EID:

Must have a valid and existing visa at the time of entry unless otherwise stated in the table above.

With pre-booked accredited quarantine facility / hotel for at least 10 days at the traveler's expense*.

Must undergo RT-PCR testing on the 7th day of quarantine. Non-OFWs and non-Filipinos on PAL flights arriving in Manila will be swabbed by Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory for arrivals in NAIA Terminal 2, or by the Philippine Airport Diagnostics Laboratory for arrivals in NAIA Terminal 1. Those arriving in Laoag will be swabbed by Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. *.

*For fully vaccinated travelers, whether in the Philippines or abroad, stayed exclusively in Green list countries / jursidictions / territories in the last fourteen (14) days prior to arrival in the Philippines, may only hold a 7-night confirmed booking on a facility-based quarantine and shall undergo an RT-PCR test on the 5th day of their quarantine stay. The vaccination status must be independently verified / confirmed by Philippine authorities as valid and authentic upon the traveler's arrival in the country.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2600881][URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/EligiblePaxForTravelToPH[/URL]

Filipinos yes. Foreigners if they are: 1) The spouse or parent of a Filipino; 2) Dual citizen; 3) Foreign government worker (possible Embassy staff, or NGO, and just guessing); 4) Seafarers with 9 (c) visa; 5) Those with eligible certificates, RC or CRPC (unclear to me what those are); 6) Those with eligible visas (seems unclear what that is); 7) Investors with special authority (unclear again).

#6 above, eligible visas. It does mention the 9 (a) visa. I think that is the normal Embassy-granted, 59-day, pre-arrival visa? It does mention having to follow IATF rules:

[I]Conditions of the IATF-EID:

Must have a valid and existing visa at the time of entry unless otherwise stated in the table above.

With pre-booked accredited quarantine facility / hotel for at least 10 days at the traveler's expense*.[/QUOTE]Should we understand that fully vaccinated can enter Phil but with a 7 days quarantine and PCR test on the 5th day?

[QUOTE=Goferring;2600535]It won't even get to that. Soon no airline will take the reputational risk of being flying Petri dishes and delivering 400 newly infected passengers because they accepted the unvaccinated.

Have a look at the decimated cruise industry after numerous onboard outbreaks.[/QUOTE]I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.

[QUOTE=Albert9989;2600957]Should we understand that fully vaccinated can enter Phil but with a 7 days quarantine and PCR test on the 5th day?[/QUOTE]I would say not. Reason: This web page is created by PAL, an airline. Those entering the information are interpreting Phils BI visa / immigration information. Mistakes have been made before. Better to look on the Phils BI website, contact your nearest Phils consulate in your country, or contact your country's Department of State.

Here is the Philippines Consulate website in LOS Angeles. That pic is what pops up in the consulate's website:

[URL]https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/[/URL]

Phils Bureau of Immigration:

[URL]https://immigration.gov.ph/[/URL]

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2601171]I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.[/QUOTE]Never thought of that but it's actually a good idea: those that want to self insure against getting ill should not rely on the public purse to bail them out if their bet goes wrong.

Hasn't forgoing moral hazard gotten us into trouble before? 😏.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2601295]
Hasn't forgoing moral hazard gotten us into trouble before? .[/QUOTE]We don't tend to see moral hazard mentioned in the Philippines forums.

This travel ban has given me some time to consider some of my decisions while I've been in Ph. Can't wait to get back.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2601171]I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.[/QUOTE][blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue] Should we start limiting resources to people who are overweight? Who smoke? People with STD's? A lot of people have allergic reactions to vaccines, and cannot take them at all. Others may not want to risk this new vaccine, in any case, it's really none of your business anyway.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2600535]It won't even get to that. Soon no airline will take the reputational risk of being flying Petri dishes and delivering 400 newly infected passengers because they accepted the unvaccinated.

Have a look at the decimated cruise industry after numerous onboard outbreaks.[/QUOTE]Airlines are petri dishes. I note you cannot see that. You want some sort of caste system where the pompous- mongers ffs. Get to do as they like on the presumption they are not at risk. El Al probably think differently as Israelis, who will soon be on their fourth jab, are currently in global pole position for spreading Covid.

Have you seen the Argentina Brazil match got suspended because four of the Argentinians came from England which is on Brazil's red list? They lied they flew from Colombia which is on Brazil's red list. Brazil is a petri dish. As is the Philippines. Let's check.

Argentina v Brazil: [URL]https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=argentina[/URL]+v+Brazil.

Global Covid rankings [URL]https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=argentina[/URL]+v+Brazil.

Brazil in bronze place (the match was in Brazil). Israel and the Philippines motoring ahead.

Moral hazard says the guy who wants to go to the Philippines to bang paupers. I forget whether you are American (pole place in the covid wars) or Australian (Mad Max lock downs). Is self reflection against some Cheap Charlie code?

Trying to vaccinate the world is right out of a James Bond villain movie. As are the Bond villains who promote it. As regards mongers like you: you are just like kids who get jabbed tgo go to rock orgies or football supporters who take the jab to watch millionaires like Messi DFK after they score a goal.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2601171]I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.[/QUOTE]You guys are hilarious. It's been 8 months now that this insane vaccine campaign have started and. You still keep your fingers crossed.

Have anything changed? Are you able to fly back to the Philippines?

Oh wait, yes things have changed. As a double vax you can't enter Portugal and Swede if you are from Israel.

Why? Because the situation there is out of control. The double vax are not considered vax anymore and not included in stats which is a relief since the majority of the hospitalized are double vax. Guys, you need your third jab to keep up with current events otherwise you are spreading the virus and I will ask you to keep your distance.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2601271]I would say not.[/QUOTE]To extend my thoughts.

Regarding tourists coming to Phils September 5. See first pic (A), this is the most recent set of announcements from the Phils Bureau of Immigration. Nothing listed there suggests tourists returning, in fact the Advisories claim that this or that item is intended to keep most foreigners out.

Second pic is an announcement of an extension of countries that are banned from traveling to Phils (as mentioned in the PAL article).

Last pic the recent Advisory. It lists the recent MECQ as the reason that the BI is running 30-50% capacity of employees (red box). The blue box mentions using the Online Appointment button for clients (like visa extensions; you can only get into the building with a previously-made electronic appointment, which you must show to the security guards to get into the BI). Frown face for the following reason. Once you click that button and go to make your appointment, you will see a calendar that shows for the next 2 months. However each appointment time will be in a red color, indicating that its already taken. GOOD LUCK!

I have a pinoy friend working in the BI. He lives in QC. Several times he has not been able to go to work due to local lockdowns in his Brgy, for several days at a time. When your skeleton crew forces you to limit client intake, then several of your employees can't come to work because of local lockdown, you and the clients are effed. Also I have noticed my last several visits to the BI that the guards outside are on a heightened sense of Covid (or other possible items). They can be brisk, aggressive, stand-offish, and unhelpful to even the simplest question. They are interested in only 1 thing: Can you confirm your appointment on your phone with your receipt (which has a QR code, your name, appointment date / time). If yes, fall in line and STFU; if not then go home and make an appointment online.

There really is a skeleton crew at the Intramuros BI. The place isn't overrun, its terribly understaffed. While everyone wants to come back, the idea of thousands of new tourists daily (many of whom will extend later) will just add to the chaos.

[QUOTE=CrowExplorer;2601304] Should we start limiting resources to people who are overweight? Who smoke? People with STD's? A lot of people have allergic reactions to vaccines, and cannot take them at all. Others may not want to risk this new vaccine, in any case, it's really none of your business anyway.[/QUOTE]It's everybody's business just like Typhoid Mary was everybody's business. I have four grandchildren between the ages of one and 10, and those who are too self-absorbed to get vaccinated endanger them. These kids have no defense against unvaccinated people communicating covid to them. The one-year-old has medical issues and would probably not survive covid.

Obesity is not mortally contagious to the non-obese. Where people smoke is regulated, and secondhand smoke is nowhere near as deadly as covid. Wearing seat belts is regulated, sometimes expensively.

Nobody I know is proposing that those who are allergic must take vaccines.

Here's another viewpoint; he doesn't exactly seem like one of the "liberal elite":

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Gq6ROvBkU[/URL]

The anti-vax debate reminds me of a poem my father sometimes recited when teaching me and my siblings to drive. Although there are other variations, this was my father's version:

"Here lies the body of Thomas Grey.

Who died defending his right of way.

He was dead right as he sped along.

But just as dead as if he'd been dead wrong."

Seems fitting for the last testimonials of anti-vaxxers lying at death's door because of covid.

Sadly the chickens are coming home to roost I've seen 3 RIP notices in the expat forums here in Cebu in the last couple of weeks alone. I had my own scare a couple of weeks ago (non covid) and bought a couple of Oxygen tanks (difficult to find a space in hospital here now and many don't have spare tanksanyhow.

The guy I bought them off had bought them for his Pinay wife (39) who sadly didn't make it leaving 3 kids. I lent the tanks to the grandpa of a GF here a week ago, but sadly he passed 2 days ago (mid 60's).

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2601529]The anti-vax debate reminds me of a poem my father sometimes recited when teaching me and my siblings to drive. Although there are other variations, this was my father's version:

"Here lies the body of Thomas Grey.

Who died defending his right of way.

He was dead right as he sped along.

But just as dead as if he'd been dead wrong."

Seems fitting for the last testimonials of anti-vaxxers lying at death's door because of covid.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2601518]It's everybody's business just like Typhoid Mary was everybody's business. I have four grandchildren between the ages of one and 10, and those who are too self-absorbed to get vaccinated endanger them. These kids have no defense against unvaccinated people communicating covid to them. The one-year-old has medical issues and would probably not survive covid.

Obesity is not mortally contagious to the non-obese. Where people smoke is regulated, and secondhand smoke is nowhere near as deadly as covid. Wearing seat belts is regulated, sometimes expensively.

Nobody I know is proposing that those who are allergic must take vaccines.

Here's another viewpoint; he doesn't exactly seem like one of the "liberal elite":

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Gq6ROvBkU[/URL][/QUOTE]I had Covid. I didn't run, walk or crawl to any tik tok dancing hospital, though I do know some that did. He has raised over 100 K $ so far with his foul mouth and his sob sob story. Living in a backward country like America, he has to go begging bowl in hand to pay for his wife.

Smoking is a filthy, anti-social addiction. I have no time for smokers, cigarette companies or their apologists. Even thinking about them makes me homicidal. Obese people. Fat shaming, what a joke. Though Africans do like theirs on the big side.

I have a fair idea where I picked up the virus and I have taken steps to avoid such occasions of sin in the future. I am ok for the next few months and I will see how Israelis get on with their sixth, sevant and eight boosters. Real Bill Gates upgrades there.

Americans are mortal dangers to the rest of us in Covid as in much else. One only has to see American College kids partying in Florida on their interminable breaks to see what a petri dish the USA in. Kensington Ave in Philly anyone? They and much of the rest of the dumbed down world see vaccinations as a comfort blanket and their inner Nazi comes out, roaring at the rest of us.

I am socially responsible, I stay miles away from the vulnerable and limit social contact. I do know, however, that this will be a horrendous winter as others spread Covid, flus, cold and the clap and try to blame it on me and not on the house parties and junkies that keep the cops busy and afraid (they deal with the super spreaders on a daily basis and are hard hit, which affects their tik tok dancing).

The solution lies in copying the good people of China and Vietnam who understand lockdowns and social responsibility, not the Big Mac lardheads of the USA. It was the anniversary of Ho Chi Minh's untimely death (smoker) a few days ago and the great General Giap would now be 110 if he had not been taken away from us in 2013. Vietnam defeated the USA and it defeated Covid and have plans for recovery (though fatalities are back up) [URL]https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-prepares-to-live-safely-with-covid-pm-4351981.html[/URL].

China, meanwhile, seems to be in control. I know people who work there and they said it is steady: Just avoid Yanks.

SE Asia, the Philippines, has been ravaged by the USA. I shudder to think what lies ahead for them.

But, as long as Big Pharma wins, why worry?

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2601300]We don't tend to see moral hazard mentioned in the Philippines forums.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601306]Moral hazard says the guy who wants to go to the Philippines to bang paupers.[/QUOTE]Guys, just for clarity, the term 'moral hazard' isn't a ethical judgement. It's when a group makes a choice knowing that an incorrect choice will have no down side. Ref banks piling on debt and risk in the 2008 Financial Collapse knowing that they would be bailed out if their bet lost.

The parallel to vaccinations is that someone will be there to bail them out, should they make the wrong call, so there is less incentive to think about the risks.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601306]Airlines are petri dishes. I note you cannot see that. You want some sort of caste system where the pompous- mongers ffs.[/QUOTE]Perhaps reread my post I was the one who referred to planes as 'petri dishes' and compared them to cruise liners because they are ideal breeding grounds for any contagious disease including Covid.

Where did I recommend that mongers should get a free pass? I don't expect ANYONE to be flying soon.

There is a big difference between me wanting to go party and being able to. Doesn't stop me daydreaming. 😁.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601306]Brazil is a petri dish.[/QUOTE]I have been having a better time in this petri dish that is Brazil for the last couple of weeks than I would have being couped up somewhere hoping for the angel of covid to pass by and stay gone forever. Seize the day or sit around waiting for an uncertain future.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2601585]I have been having a better time in this petri dish that is Brazil for the last couple of weeks than I would have being couped up somewhere hoping for the angel of covid to pass by and stay gone forever. Seize the day or sit around waiting for an uncertain future.[/QUOTE]Touche!

Manila jumps out of MECQ tomorrow, and falls back to the less-restrictive GCQ. The cycle continues.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/06/21/ncr-goes-down-to-gcq-10-areas-under-mecq-on-sept-8-30?fbclid=IwAR1jSrkE945peXgz-MSay4e11oq1AgF89k7qIphmVxuIoPtLcd31HtR_rKc[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Metro Manila will go down to general community quarantine (GCQ), the Philippines' second-loosest lockdown level, from Sept. 8 until the end of the month, while 10 other areas in the country will be under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) during the same period, Malacaang said on Monday.[/I]

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2601364]SNIP which is a relief since the majority of the hospitalized are double vax. SNIP[/QUOTE]SG, do you have a link or evidence of that info (majority of the hospitalized are double vax)?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2601601]SG, do you have a link or evidence of that info (majority of the hospitalized are double vax)?[/QUOTE]I do not know any numbers, but I recently postedin another thread a White House briefing of the CDC director saying the shit is not working in Israel. Nobody seems to pay it any attention though. Also 2 top US FDA officials quit last week because the administration is trying to push a 3rd jab and they are not sure whether or not it will be safe to do so. I managed to find the video. It is from minute 40 to 41.

[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ciVGAPuruoQ&list=WL&index=12&t=859s[/URL]

This is just simply not true. My best friend runs the ER at a major LA hospital. This friend told me just 2 days ago that essentially EVERYONE they see for covid is unvaccinated. They ask everyone. This is my friend. Who is there every day. This friend has no agenda.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2601601]SG, do you have a link or evidence of that info (majority of the hospitalized are double vax)?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2601585]I have been having a better time in this petri dish that is Brazil for the last couple of weeks than I would have being couped up somewhere hoping for the angel of covid to pass by and stay gone forever. Seize the day or sit around waiting for an uncertain future.[/QUOTE]You obviously don't play English Premier League. The Argentina Brazil game was called off mid game because four of La Albiceleste ply in England. Were you at the game?

And we gots us a backtrack.

[URL]https://www.rappler.com/nation/duterte-government-backtracks-extends-modified-ecq-metro-manila-september-2021?fbclid=IwAR0CLo3IDvT_-qRhp7886mscFrZPaCraVQcvTKf9SDD6AX6ctP2pEX1JfHQ[/URL]

From the article:

[I]In a last-minute backtrack, the Philippines' coronavirus task force retained the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila until September 15, delaying the expected transition of the capital region to a new lockdown system.

"Metro Manila's current risk classification as MECQ shall be maintained until September 15, 2021, or until the pilot (general community quarantine) with alert level system is implemented, whichever comes first," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed on Tuesday, September 7.

"Having said this, indoor and al-fresco dine-in services, and personal care services, including beauty salons, beauty parlors, and nail spas shall remain prohibited," he added.[/I]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601668]You obviously don't play English Premier League. The Argentina Brazil game was called off mid game because four of La Albiceleste ply in England. Were you at the game?[/QUOTE]I don't watch sports. I am too busy hanging out in the real world. 5 minutes from now I will be looking at bikinis on the beach alongside my honey. But you enjoy watching the guys in shorts running around kicking a ball on TV. Hope your team wins and you are awarded something good from it.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2601803]I don't watch sports. I am too busy hanging out in the real world. 5 minutes from now I will be looking at bikinis on the beach alongside my honey. But you enjoy watching the guys in shorts running around kicking a ball on TV. Hope your team wins and you are awarded something good from it.[/QUOTE]FIFA is a $5 bn industry. Small beans perhaps to you. I was just expressing surprise the Covid rules that apply to Argentinian millionaires who are central to an event all of Latin America is fixated on do not seem to apply to you. The capture of the four footballers on the field of play was a major world story. In the real world at least.

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601866]I was just expressing surprise the Covid rules that apply to Argentinian millionaires who are central to an event all of Latin America is fixated on do not seem to apply to you. The capture of the four footballers on the field of play was a major world story. In the real world at least.[/QUOTE]There you have it. I am a peon and no eyes are on me versus the millions on them. And no matter the millions they have, they are considered the investments of someone with billions.

Give me the money over the fame any day. It was the talk of the world when Justin Beiber was in the fuck house here. I have been countless times and it appears nobody has given a shit yet.

[URL]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2485218/amp/Justin-Bieber-caught-sneaking-brothel-covered-bedsheets-Brazil-Believe-world-tour.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601534]Americans are mortal dangers to the rest of us in Covid as in much else. One only has to see American College kids partying in Florida on their interminable breaks to see what a petri dish the USA in. Kensington Ave in Philly anyone? They and much of the rest of the dumbed down world see vaccinations as a comfort blanket and their inner Nazi comes out, roaring at the rest of us.


The solution lies in copying the good people of China and Vietnam who understand lockdowns and social responsibility, not the Big Mac lardheads of the USA.

China, meanwhile, seems to be in control. I know people who work there and they said it is steady: Just avoid Yanks.

SE Asia, the Philippines, has been ravaged by the USA.

But, as long as Big Pharma wins, why worry?[/QUOTE]I am embarrassed at many of the unwise international "interventions" the US has entered into, but damn, somebody in the states must have really stepped on your toes. If the US military was beaten by little old North Vietnam and tribal Afghanistan, why do you see the US as being so all powerful in spreading covid? Have you considered getting some help to figure out why you're so angry?

"Spring break" is not interminable. It occurs specifically in the Spring, in March and April, depending on when various colleges further north let their students out for a week of spring intermission. It may appear interminable from the outside, but a variety of colleges set their spring break dates at different times because their semesters begin at various dates in January and end anywhere from late April to late May.

This is what is written in [URL]https://philippines.travel/safetrip[/URL].

Should we consider that entry is possible?

But only in the GCQ and MGCQ areas?

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2601534]I had Covid. I didn't run, walk or crawl to any tik tok dancing hospital, though I do know some that did. He has raised over 100 K $ so far with his foul mouth and his sob sob story. Living in a backward country like America, he has to go begging bowl in hand to pay for his wife.

The solution lies in copying the good people of China and Vietnam who understand lockdowns and social responsibility, not the Big Mac lardheads of the USA. It was the anniversary of Ho Chi Minh's untimely death (smoker) a few days ago and the great General Giap would now be 110 if he had not been taken away from us in 2013. Vietnam defeated the USA and it defeated Covid and have plans for recovery (though fatalities are back up) [URL]https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-prepares-to-live-safely-with-covid-pm-4351981.html[/URL].

China, meanwhile, seems to be in control. I know people who work there and they said it is steady: Just avoid Yanks.

SE Asia, the Philippines, has been ravaged by the USA. I shudder to think what lies ahead for them.

But, as long as Big Pharma wins, why worry?[/QUOTE]Just wait until December and January 2022 when you will see large crowds of Chinese at sporting events telling the world that Beijing will be safe for the Olympics. They are not going to be avoiding any "Yanks" or those who look like them but will be begging for flights to start back flying to bring people in for the games.

[QUOTE=Albert9989;2602035]This is what is written in [URL]https://philippines.travel/safetrip[/URL].

Should we consider that entry is possible?

But only in the GCQ and MGCQ areas?[/QUOTE]This is the regulation for entries: [URL]https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/20210903-IATF-136-B-RRD.pdf[/URL].

Whereas, IATF Resolution No. 123-see (s. 2021) issued on 28 June 2021, superseded.

By IATF Resolution No. 128-A (s. 2021) provided for the governing guidelines of inbound.

International travel to any port of the Philippines of all individuals fully vaccinated in the.

Philippines regardless of travel history, and those vaccinated abroad who stayed exclusively in.

"Green" countries / jurisdictions in the past fourteen days immediately preceding arrival — with.

"Green" countries / jurisdictions being those classified by the Department of Health (DOH) as.

"Low Risk" countries based on a set incidence rate.

So for vaccinated people abroad, they are authorized to enter only if they stayed in the green countries for the past 14 days.

List of green countries:

GREEN list.

American Samoa Anguilla Australia.

Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon.

Cayman Islands Chad China.

1.

Comoros Republic of the Congo Djibouti.

Equatorial Guinea Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Gabon.

Grenada.

Hong Kong (Special.

Administrative Region of.

China) Hungary.

Mali Federated States of MicronesiaMontserrat.

New Caledonia New Zealand Niger.

Northern Mariana Islands Palau Poland.

Saba Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sierra Leone.

Sint Eustatius Slovakia Taiwan.

[QUOTE=Albert9989;2602035]This is what is written in [URL]https://philippines.travel/safetrip[/URL].

Should we consider that entry is possible?

But only in the GCQ and MGCQ areas?[/QUOTE]Couple of thoughts. I read thru the various requirements for entry on that website (it seems to be a Phils DOT-related site). Yet, no change on the Phils BI website (still not showing any allowance for foreign tourists. Few things could be more confusing than this.

While the website you mentioned discusses MCQ / ECQ travel restrictions, I would remind everyone that these can change in a heartbeat. As an example, a few days ago I reported here that the NCR was going from MECQ (strict) to GCQ (less strict) the following day (as reported in major news outlets here). A few hours later that had changed, NCR was staying in MECQ for another week. Also, depending on then-current Covid numbers in the future, various locations can lock down unexpectedly.

The website speaks to inter-city or point-to-point travel requirements. These can also change overnight. Planning Manila and AC? Manila and Cebu? One city only?

Also when I searched 'Philippines Department of Tourism', I got 3 different websites. How can there be 3 websites for one agency?

[URL]http://tourism.gov.ph/general_information.aspx[/URL]
[URL]https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/[/URL]
[URL]http://www.experiencephilippines.org[/URL]

If anyone gets more intel, please report here.

More on hospitalizations and vaccines. Article from the CDC, of 43,000 cases in LOS Angeles County (see first pic):

[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7034e5.htm[/URL]

From the article:

[I]During May 1July 25, 2021, among 43,127 SARS-CoV-2 infections in residents of Los Angeles County, California, 10,895 (25.3%) were in fully vaccinated persons, 1,431 (3.3%) were in partially vaccinated persons, and 30,801 (71.4%) were in unvaccinated persons. [B]On July 25, infection and hospitalization rates among unvaccinated persons were 4.9 and 29.2 times, respectively, those in fully vaccinated persons.[/B] In July, when the Delta variant was predominant, cycle threshold values were similar for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and vaccinated persons.[/I]

////////////////////////////////////////

Regarding vaccines vs natural Covid infection. Article from the CDC (second pic).

[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0806-vaccination-protection.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]The study of hundreds of Kentucky residents with previous infections through June 2021 found that those who were unvaccinated had 2.34 times the odds of reinfection compared with those who were fully vaccinated. The findings suggest that among people who have had COVID-19 previously, getting fully vaccinated provides additional protection against reinfection.

Additionally, a second publication from MMWR shows vaccines prevented COVID-19 related hospitalizations among the highest risk age groups. As cases, hospitalizations, and deaths rise, the data in todays MMWR reinforce that COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to prevent COVID-19.[/I]

Let's look at a simpler explanation of comparing the vaccinated vs. The unvaccinated. This graph is from the state of Indiana for this past year. I believe you would see a similar result no matter what population was examined. The bottom line is that these vaccines are extremely effective in preventing serious disease and death.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2602214]Couple of thoughts. I read thru the various requirements for entry on that website (it seems to be a Phils DOT-related site). Yet, no change on the Phils BI website (still not showing any allowance for foreign tourists. Few things could be more confusing than this.

While the website you mentioned discusses MCQ / ECQ travel restrictions, I would remind everyone that these can change in a heartbeat. As an example, a few days ago I reported here that the NCR was going from MECQ (strict) to GCQ (less strict) the following day (as reported in major news outlets here). A few hours later that had changed, NCR was staying in MECQ for another week. Also, depending on then-current Covid numbers in the future, various locations can lock down unexpectedly.

The website speaks to inter-city or point-to-point travel requirements. These can also change overnight. Planning Manila and AC? Manila and Cebu? One city only?

Also when I searched 'Philippines Department of Tourism', I got 3 different websites. How can there be 3 websites for one agency?

[URL]http://tourism.gov.ph/general_information.aspx[/URL]
[URL]https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/[/URL]
[URL]http://www.experiencephilippines.org[/URL]

If anyone gets more intel, please report here.[/QUOTE]Yes, you are right, first time I try to get some intel by myself and clearly its a bit difficult to understand what they accept or not.

More than that, as every status can change in a minute for any region, going there one day where its open you have a very strong risk to be closed in an area without any possibility to get out.

But afterall, being closed there could also be not so bad. Depending of the availability to meet some chicks there.

But clearly still not enough stable for me.

One good point, is that when I chat with many girls there, I find more and more that are vaccinated twice, but its improving very slowly.

[QUOTE=Albert9989;2602189]So for vaccinated people abroad, they are authorized to enter only if they stayed in the green countries for the past 14 days.

List of green countries:

GREEN list.

American Samoa Anguilla Australia.

Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon.

Cayman Islands Chad China.

Comoros Republic of the Congo Djibouti.

Equatorial Guinea Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Gabon.

Grenada.

Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) Hungary.

Mali Federated States of MicronesiaMontserrat.

New Caledonia New Zealand Niger.

Northern Mariana Islands Palau Poland.

Saba Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sierra Leone.

Sint Eustatius Slovakia Taiwan.[/QUOTE]I have seen this Green List. Does that mean mongers will need to stay in one of these before coming to Phils? Looks like Beavis, Screaming Beaver, Mdemde and I will not have much competition for a long time. Hong Kong / Taiwan -- must one simply traverse thru there, say, on Eva Airlines? Hungary is on the list?

As said before, this system of one Phils agency (Tourist Dept) putting out confusing information, along with the BI not being clear, is both not atypical, and maddening. Sorry fellas, I don't mean to continually throw cold water on it, but there are so many stinking holes to jump through (which change often). Imagine if thousands of gent book airline / hotel tickets next week, only to show up at their long flight airport to be turned away by EVA, KAL, or such as tourist season is not yet allowed. Or worse, they are not turned away at the check-in counter, but they are turned away at the Phils Immigration line at their arrival airport.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Novel thought: Somebody call EVA or KAL (or a travel agent or PAL) and ask if you can purchase a ticket to Phils next week. Here's another idea, somebody call or mail the NCR Dept. Of Tourism:

WOODROW MAQUILING JR.

Regional Director, Department of Tourism-NCR.

Director, DOT-National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Office 2nd Flr The New DOT Bldg. , 351 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City.

Tel. No. : (632) 459-5200 to 459-5230 Loc. (212 and 232).

Tourist Information Center Tel. No. : (632) 459-5200 to 5230 Loc. 102.

Centennial Tel. No. : (632) 887-1109 Loc. 2280.

NAIA Airport Tel. No. : (632) 832-2964/551-0698/551-2554.

NAIA Lobby Tel. No. : (632) 852-2191/852-1165.

Airport Fax No. : (632) 853-1687.

E-Mail: [EMAIL]dotncr@tourism.gov.ph[/EMAIL].

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Here's another: Phils DOT in Australia:

Ms. Eleanor Palima, Officer-in-Charge.

Australia.

Other areas of jurisdiction: New Zealand.

Suite 11.01, Level 11,92 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

Work Phone: +61 2 9221 1344.

E-mail Address: [EMAIL]info@morefuninthephilippines.com.au[/EMAIL] / [EMAIL]ely@morefuninthephilippines.com.au[/EMAIL].

Website: [URL]www.tourismphilippines.com.au[/URL].

Facebook: [URL]www.facebook.com/TourismPhilippines.anz[/URL].

Twitter: [URL]www.twitter.com/PhilippinesANZ[/URL].

Youtube: [URL]www.youtube.com/user/DOTPhilippinesANZ[/URL].

Pinterest: [URL]www.pinterest.com/Philippinesaunz[/URL].

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

And for the Brits:

Mr. Gerard Panga, Tourism Attach.

UNITED KINGDOM.

Other areas of jurisdiction: Spain, Italy, Nordics, Ireland, Portugal, Turkey, Israel.

2nd Floor, 10 Suffolk Street, London SW1 why 4 HG, United Kingdom.

Ms. Katherine Alcantara, Tourism Officer.

Work Phone: +44 20 7321 0668.

Mobile Number: (44) 7478 676305.

Fax Number: +44 20 7925 2920.

E-mail Address: [EMAIL]info@itsmorefuninthephilippine.co.uk[/EMAIL] / [EMAIL]gerry@itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk[/EMAIL] / [EMAIL]kat@itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk[/EMAIL].

Website: [URL]www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk[/URL].

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

And finally the USA (side note: the address here is on Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; so is the Phils Consulate, quite possibly in the same building):

Mr. Richmond Patrick L. Jimenez, Tourism Attach.

LOS ANGELES, USA.

Other areas of jurisdiction: Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Nevada / Las Vegas, Southern California, New Mexico, Texas, Latin America.

3250 Wilshire Blvd. , Suite 707, LOS Angeles, California, 90010, USA.

Ms. Fay Lena Castro, Tourism Officer.

Work Phone: +1 213 487 4525.

Fax Number: +1 213 386 4063.

Email: [EMAIL]richmond@philippinetourismla.org[/EMAIL] / [EMAIL]fay@philippinetourismla.org[/EMAIL].

Website: [URL]www.philippinetourismusa.com[/URL].

Facebook - [URL]https://www.facebook.com/philippinetourismusa[/URL].

Twitter - [URL]https://twitter.com/PHTourismUSA[/URL].

Linkedin - [URL]https://www.linkedin.com/company/philippinetourismusa[/URL].

Instagram - [URL]https://www.instagram.com/Phtourismusa[/URL].

Thanks a lot westcoast for all these explanation on something which is very unclear.

In fact I posted this to get opinions of people here, and I was sure that you would clarify, so thanks to try to clarify all these very unclear info.

So I continue to wait.

[QUOTE=Albert9989;2602393]Thanks a lot westcoast for all these explanation on something which is very unclear.

In fact I posted this to get opinions of people here, and I was sure that you would clarify, so thanks to try to clarify all these very unclear info.

So I continue to wait.[/QUOTE]Welcome. Albert, clear out your Inbox.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2602603]Welcome. Albert, clear out your Inbox.[/QUOTE]Thanks cleaning done.

Should we have a separate thread? 'Covid Info', or such?

Hotspots Tondo and Sampaloc. Pic is from: [URL]https://www.facebook.com/ManilaPIO[/URL].

From the Phils Bureau of Immigration FB page, regarding tourists. It mentions the red list and the green list, but the only thing of interest here to note for us is a paragraph near the very bottom:

[B][I]The general travel restrictions is still in effect. Only Filipinos, balikbayans, and foreigners with valid and existing visas are allowed to enter the Philippines, said Capulong. Those holding tourists visas remain restricted from entering, he clarified.[/I][/B]

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration/photos/a.526923357446376/2109411965864166/[/URL]

[I]11 September 2021
PRESS RELEASE

Travelers from 9 countries included in Red List to be barred entry BI
Manila, PHILIPPINES Officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Saturday, the implementation of the temporary travel ban of passengers coming from 9 countries starting September 12.

The countries include Azerbaijan, Guadeloupe, Guam, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Saint Lucia, and Switzerland.

In an advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that, following the recent directive from Malacaang, as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), passengers coming from, or who have been in the said countries within the last 14 days prior to their arrival to the Philippines, shall temporarily be barred entry.
Morente further said that passengers already in transit from the 9 countries who will arrive before the implementation of the travel ban may be allowed to enter, subject to existing policies of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

BI Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong shared that Filipinos arriving from countries under the red list under government or non-government repatriation programs or bayanihan flights, may be allowed entry but shall undergo a strict 14-day facility based quarantine, and be required a Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test that will be monitored by the BOQ.

Capulong added that those who had a mere layover at the 9 countries are not covered by the travel ban.

The travel ban is set to take effect by 12:00 AM of September 12 until 11:59 PM of September 18, 2021.

Meanwhile, Capulong shared the countries under the green list as provided by the IATF. These include American Samoa, Anguilla, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Gabon, Grenada, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), Hungary, Mali, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Slovakia and Taiwan.
Capulong clarified that aliens coming from the green list do not automatically qualify for entry to the Philippines.

The general travel restrictions is still in effect. Only Filipinos, balikbayans, and foreigners with valid and existing visas are allowed to enter the Philippines, said Capulong. Those holding tourists visas remain restricted from entering, he clarified.

According to the BI advisory, countries not in the red or green list are automatically included in the yellow list. Those coming from the yellow list are likewise subject to the general travel restrictions, and will be have to undergo quarantine and testing protocols, as implemented by the BOQ.

#ProtectPHBorders
#BeatCOVID19
#WeHealAsOne
#BureauofImmigration
#ImmigrationHelplinePH[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2603073]Should we have a separate thread? 'Covid Info', or such?[/QUOTE]That's a good idea.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2603073]Should we have a separate thread? 'Covid Info', or such?...[/QUOTE]Yes! Suggested thread title: CDC Public Relations".

Since there's not enough of it 24/7 everywhere else, we could have hot links to the latest CDC statistics, World Health Organization PR, and stuff like that. Links to deal with the “anti vaxers” and vaccine hesitancy problem. Hell, maybe we even could sell stock options. Or how about let Pfizer run pop up ads like these Stripchat things! Maybe even mandate a digital Health app to login so we don't have Petri dishes trolling the site. Haha.

I'm on a roll. . How bout even a competing thread, call it Tin Foil Chit Chat. All the conspiracy theorists and freedom freaks worried about wrecking their immune system, stronger variants escaping the immune system due to the shots, a looming scientific dictatorship, and stuff like that can congregate and propagate their misinformation. Share links to quacks like Robert F Kennedy's Children's Health Defense and the Great Barrington Declaration! Haha. Thanks Westy, love you man. By the way, happy Day The World Began Day! (911).

Westy, that little rant below was rather sarcastic but it was in no way meant as a jab at you. I super appreciate the guys like you, GE, Advan and others who are on the ground reporting. It's great to hear what's actually happening, and keeping this forum alive. If I had anything more useful to add, I'the chime in. Thanks man!

I thought about pasting a few links here to the government reports that seem to proliferate daily on various local websites, but I decided against it since doing so might add to the confusion of those trying to draw an accurate set of conclusions about the situation here. While it's difficult to present a clear, data-based picture of what's happening throughout the country it appears (should be in italics) that the situation is worsening; at best it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Davao, where I live, escaped more stringent lockdowns until a couple of days ago when more severe measures were imposed. CdO, where a good friend of mine lives, is also heavily restricted (in theory), as is most of MetroManila. Some of the more rural areas in which I also have friends, appear to be restricting movements sporadically. That said, at least here in Davao, regardless of the "official" categorization, day-to-day life doesn't seem to change much. That is, stores are still open, bars are still closed, restaurants have limited capacity and are mostly empty to sparsely populated. Virtually everyone is masked all of the time, while driving (even alone in the car), walking, in retail establishments or anywhere else out in public. Given the dearth of people I've observed in the larger malls here, the closure of restaurants (including our own), and the number of "space available" signs throughout the city, I conclude that the economy is struggling, but I've seen nothing official from the city government. The official statistics from the Department of Labor and Employment stated last month that the unemployment rates is 4. 9% I do not find this to be a credible number.

According to the national government, about 15% of the population is fully vaccinated, though whether that's a percentage of the eligible population or to total population isn't clear to me. Davao continues to create widespread distribution networks for the vaccines from various countries and manufacturers, but the numbers seem obstinately stuck at about 15%.

Given the current limbo, and based on nothing but my own inferences, I doubt seriously that the country is going to open in any meaningful way to foreigners any time soon. On the other hand, the tourism sector is on life support, and the government may just take a "screw it" attitude and start to allow entry of the fully vaccinated from "green" countries; a list which does not at the moment, include the United States.

Given the transmissibility of the Delta variant, and because I'm a firm believer in actual science, I've been more or less self-isolating for the past 18 months. So, my sporadic forays into hte outside world—maybe once or twice a week to various local stores and malls—may not provide an adequate basis for generalization. For whatever it's worth, my view is that the situation here is fairly bleak, though the supply of women remains plentiful for those who can get here and are willing to run the risk of messing about, in intimate contact, with a population that's likely unvaccinated for the most part.

GE.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2603288]I thought about pasting a few links here to the government reports that seem to proliferate daily on various local websites, but I decided against it since doing so might add to the confusion of those trying to draw an accurate set of conclusions about the situation here. While it's difficult to present a clear, data-based picture of what's happening throughout the country it appears (should be in italics) that the situation is worsening; at best it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Davao, where I live, escaped more stringent lockdowns until a couple of days ago when more severe measures were imposed. CdO, where a good friend of mine lives, is also heavily restricted (in theory), as is most of MetroManila. Some of the more rural areas in which I also have friends, appear to be restricting movements sporadically. That said, at least here in Davao, regardless of the "official" categorization, day-to-day life doesn't seem to change much. That is, stores are still open, bars are still closed, restaurants have limited capacity and are mostly empty to sparsely populated. Virtually everyone is masked all of the time, while driving (even alone in the car), walking, in retail establishments or anywhere else out in public. Given the dearth of people I've observed in the larger malls here, the closure of restaurants (including our own), and the number of "space available" signs throughout the city, I conclude that the economy is struggling, but I've seen nothing official from the city government. The official statistics from the Department of Labor and Employment stated last month that the unemployment rates is 4. 9% I do not find this to be a credible number.

According to the national government, about 15% of the population is fully vaccinated, though whether that's a percentage of the eligible population or to total population isn't clear to me. Davao continues to create widespread distribution networks for the vaccines from various countries and manufacturers, but the numbers seem obstinately stuck at about 15%.

Given the current limbo, and based on nothing but my own inferences, I doubt seriously that the country is going to open in any meaningful way to foreigners any time soon. On the other hand, the tourism sector is on life support, and the government may just take a "screw it" attitude and start to allow entry of the fully vaccinated from "green" countries; a list which does not at the moment, include the United States.

Given the transmissibility of the Delta variant, and because I'm a firm believer in actual science, I've been more or less self-isolating for the past 18 months. So, my sporadic forays into hte outside worldmaybe once or twice a week to various local stores and mallsmay not provide an adequate basis for generalization. For whatever it's worth, my view is that the situation here is fairly bleak, though the supply of women remains plentiful for those who can get here and are willing to run the risk of messing about, in intimate contact, with a population that's likely unvaccinated for the most part.

GE.[/QUOTE]I tend to agree with all of this except the opening of the country. I think as long as the current administration has the option to double dip into the assistance they are receiving from abroad the closures will continue. That's just opinion though as things change daily. One report that the mayor of AC was seen riding his brand new Harley around town. As for the 15% vaccinated I think this is accurate if not low. I personally know many vaccinated people and they are doing many every day at least in the cities. Not sure what the vaccination protocols are like in the province but even the smaller towns they have implemented a procedure for getting their people vaccinated. There is a rumor that Thailand will open October 1st [URL]https://www.livemint.com/news/world/thailand-on-mind-fully-vaccinated-tourists-allowed-to-visit-from-1-october-11631277317079.html[/URL] but they have changed on several plans so far. I wouldn't recommend buying a ticket until it happens. Perhaps if this does happen it will put pressure on the PH to open. But as we all know, speculation doesn't warrant much validity in the PH.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2603288]Given the current limbo, and based on nothing but my own inferences, I doubt seriously that the country is going to open in any meaningful way to foreigners any time soon. On the other hand, the tourism sector is on life support, and the government may just take a "screw it" attitude and start to allow entry of the fully vaccinated from "green" countries; a list which does not at the moment, include the United States.

Given the transmissibility of the Delta variant, and because I'm a firm believer in actual science, I've been more or less self-isolating for the past 18 months. So, my sporadic forays into hte outside worldmaybe once or twice a week to various local stores and mallsmay not provide an adequate basis for generalization. For whatever it's worth, my view is that the situation here is fairly bleak, though the supply of women remains plentiful for those who can get here and are willing to run the risk of messing about, in intimate contact, with a population that's likely unvaccinated for the most part..[/QUOTE]The Pinoy government cannot go it alone. They would be hammered internationally and blamed on spreading it globally. Of more concern to those gangsters would be such things as overseas rem ittances. I am sure many overseas workers. Those armies you see at Manila airport. Have lost their jobs and remittances are down, as are chances for work overseas. That has to be hurting.

The only hope to allow in tourists would be to open corridors. As no one wants Americans, as there would be too many logistical complications with that, they, thankfully, are off the table. Much the same with us here in civilized Europe though some, like invasive weeds, are appearing. The Anzacs have already ruled themselves out by their own stringent lockdown policies. That leaves Korea and China (forget about Japan), both of whom are known to drive hard bargains and neither of whom have banging Pinay hookers as a national priority.

The end result of this Covid business will be a further weakening of the weak. It will get even less pleasant for those who had no ill gotten gains to squirrel away.

Enjoy your hibernation. I will. I will be spending a month travelling around Southern Europe. Small crowds, money in my pocket, the grape harvest in and buxom Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Greek wenches to enjoy it with.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2603288]

Given the transmissibility of the Delta variant, and because I'm a firm believer in actual science, I've been more or less self-isolating for the past 18 months. So, my sporadic forays into hte outside worldmaybe once or twice a week to various local stores and mallsmay not provide an adequate basis for generalization. For whatever it's worth, my view is that the situation here is fairly bleak, though the supply of women remains plentiful for those who can get here and are willing to run the risk of messing about, in intimate contact, with a population that's likely unvaccinated for the most part.

GE.[/QUOTE]Right now Delta varient is causing all the problems. There is news about some varient in the offing but not sure. Science has shown being vaccinated lessens the severity of the disease. My son is a hospital Doctor and he says almost 98 percent of people in ICU are unvaccinated. Rest 2 percent are with co morbidity although fully vaccinated.

As everyone knows this is a respiratory virus transmitted mouth to mouth. In our hobby it is impossible to avoid close contact. Vaccination might protect severity but you might become positive for exposure.

Traveling to Philippines has been postponed for me at least 3 times already. Right now rebooked for March 2022. That is a big IF. Who knows how long country is going to not allow foreign visitors.

As for economic impact most countries although suffering have learned to live with it for a long time now. So it is unlikely government is willing to to open the country solely for economic reasons. Even here in America lots of restaurants, malls, bars etc are totally closed and unlikely to open.

As girls they were freely available yesterday, today for the people already in the country and will be there tomorrow when things open for everyone.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2603405]Right now Delta varient is causing all the problems. There is news about some varient in the offing but not sure. Science has shown being vaccinated lessens the severity of the disease. My son is a hospital Doctor and he says almost 98 percent of people in ICU are unvaccinated. Rest 2 percent are with co morbidity although fully vaccinated.

As everyone knows this is a respiratory virus transmitted mouth to mouth. In our hobby it is impossible to avoid close contact. Vaccination might protect severity but you might become positive for exposure..[/QUOTE]I didn't know that. I thought it also came in via the nose and even the eyes, like Conjunctivitis. I also thought, like conjunctivitis, it could be picked up by touching things. I believe that is how I picked it up.

Your son, the doctor, must be a great man. He obviously doesn't work in Israel, where most are double jabbed.

The State of calamity is now prolonged for one more year.

When someone is thinking about going to the PH anytime soon (this and next year).

Forget it!

[QUOTE=DzikaBomba;2603452]The State of calamity is now prolonged for one more year.

When someone is thinking about going to the PH anytime soon (this and next year).

Forget it![/QUOTE]And how did you arrive at your conclusion?

State of Calamity law authority is extended one more year.

Before the pandemic, remittance from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), revenue from tourism and revenue from BPOs, each contributed approximately 10% each to the Philippine's GDP. Contrary to expectation, the remittance in 2020 did not fall catastrophically--it fell just 0. 8% to $29.9 billion and in recent months, it has been rising. BPO industry saw a phenomenal growth and brought in $27 billion because workers could work from home. Tourism took a big hit, its revenue fell by 60%.

The robust growth of BPO and now OFW remittance gives the Philippines significant cushion to weather the revenue shortfall from tourism. After the precipitous fall of 17% in Q2'2019-20, GDP contraction has not been that bad and in fact, Q2'2020-21 saw an 11.8% increase compared to the year before (this was before Delta variant started to have effect).

Punters who have been betting that the Philippines will open its border due economic pain from shrinking tourism should not hold their breath. Economy is suffering, but not as gravely as we think.

Some sources:

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/26/21/bpo-26-7b-revenues-2020-ibpap[/URL]

[URL]https://www.bworldonline.com/tourism-contribution-to-gdp-lowest-in-at-least-2-decades/[/URL]

[URL]https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Philippine-remittances-come-in-at-29.9bn-defying-COVID[/URL]

[URL]https://psa.gov.ph/national-accounts[/URL]

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2603528]Economy is suffering, but not as gravely as we think.[/QUOTE]For sure. Most of the big central banks seem to be pumping out currency to keep constituents content all the while maintaining low interest rates. Just in the US over 8 trillion in QE for "the pandemic" with as much as another 6 trillion on the horizon. Fourteen trillion new dollars printed up, of course not paper (we wouldn't have any trees left). For a family of 4, that's about $170,000 USD of "new" fiat money. The planet is awash in money. Keep interest rates down and the party will continue with "modern monetary practice", maybe forever or maybe not.

[URL]https://www.statista.com/statistics/1121416/quantitative-easing-fed-balance-sheet-coronavirus/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Pinga98;2603528]Before the pandemic, remittance from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), revenue from tourism and revenue from BPOs, each contributed approximately 10% each to the Philippine's GDP. Contrary to expectation, the remittance in 2020 did not fall catastrophically--it fell just 0. 8% to $29.9 billion and in recent months, it has been rising. BPO industry saw a phenomenal growth and brought in $27 billion because workers could work from home. Tourism took a big hit, its revenue fell by 60%.

The robust growth of BPO and now OFW remittance gives the Philippines significant cushion to weather the revenue shortfall from tourism. After the precipitous fall of 17% in Q2'2019-20, GDP contraction has not been that bad and in fact, Q2'2020-21 saw an 11.8% increase compared to the year before (this was before Delta variant started to have effect).

Punters who have been betting that the Philippines will open its border due economic pain from shrinking tourism should not hold their breath. Economy is suffering, but not as gravely as we think.

Some sources:

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/26/21/bpo-26-7b-revenues-2020-ibpap[/URL]

[URL]https://www.bworldonline.com/tourism-contribution-to-gdp-lowest-in-at-least-2-decades/[/URL]

[URL]https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Philippine-remittances-come-in-at-29.9bn-defying-COVID[/URL]

[URL]https://psa.gov.ph/national-accounts[/URL][/QUOTE]I don't think these numbers mean crap to the average Filipinos that are starving and can't pay their rent.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2603553]I don't think these numbers mean crap to the average Filipinos that are starving and can't pay their rent.[/QUOTE](First off, hats off to all the overseas workers who keep their families going. True heroes.).

"Very true. The [URL]https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Philippine-remittances-come-in-at-29.9bn-defying-COVID[/URL] cites makes terrifying reading. Some quotes. The government has repatriated over 400,000 migrant workers, including those who lost jobs in the retail, oil, tourism and other industries. Meanwhile, worker deployment from January to October plunged 60.8%, to 693, 687, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration."

Tough times for lots of middle class Pinoys so. The Tondo beauties guys here bonk still have their pak pak of course.

"The Philippines, Asia's third largest recipient of remittances after India and China, has relied on money sent home by around 10 million Filipinos who live and work overseas."

"Ang expects Filipino workers to continue seeking jobs overseas when the global economy recovers. But he said companies that have pivoted to digital might need fewer hands. "My worry," Ang said, "is that they won't be needed anymore because the companies survived without them."

Big problems ahead even though googling "Philippines remittances" in news gives all positive stories. From Pinoy sources.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2601608]I do not know any numbers, but I recently postedin another thread a White House briefing of the CDC director saying the shit is not working in Israel. Nobody seems to pay it any attention though. Also 2 top US FDA officials quit last week because the administration is trying to push a 3rd jab and they are not sure whether or not it will be safe to do so. I managed to find the video. It is from minute 40 to 41.

[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ciVGAPuruoQ&list=WL&index=12&t=859s[/URL][/QUOTE]I watched most of the video, and respectfully disagree. At 40:40 in the 50-minute video, CDC Director Dr Walensky speaks (briefly, for 1 minute) regarding people who are immuno-compromised as not having enough of the vaccine in the first place, and should have received a booster shot previously. She then discusses the Israel situation, where Delta is taking off against everyone including the vaxxed, as something to watch. She does not call out the Israeli situation (nor the booster) as a failure of the vaccines. The majority of the time in this video, the 4 persons speaking sing the praises of the vaccines.

The moderator is calling the vax program a success. Dr. Murthy, current US Surgeon General, discusses boosters. He is not saying the program is failing, or that the vaccine doesn't work. Check him at 6:00 minutes into the video. And then at 8:17, Dr Murthy: "This plan to admisiter booster doses does not change our commitment to vaccinating those who are not yet vaccinated here in the US and around the world. The overwhelming majority of hospitalizations and deaths continue to occur among the unvaccinated. We will continue to ramp up efforts to increase vaccinations here at home". That literally is the US Surgeon General saying the overwhelming majority of hospitalizations / deaths occur among the un-vaxxed. Hence I'd like to see SG's link or evidence of hospitals being full of fully-vaxxed persons.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the CDC. 11:28 into the video: "First, vaccine-induced protection against Covid-19 begins to decrease over time. Second, vaccine effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalization and death remains relatively high. And third, vaccine effectiveness is generally decreased against the Delta variant". I am not sure that anything said there gives the impression that the vaccines don't work. I guess anyone could be of a different opinion. It would seem to me to say that vax effectiveness is still being studied over time, with recommended changes being made as more data comes forward. About 18:27 into the video she says: [B]"We are currently averaging over 500 Covid-19 deaths per day, and these remain largely preventable. If you are still unvaccinated, please get vaccinated"[/B]. The video is from 3 weeks ago, the US is now over 1500 deaths / day.

I can see two possibilities:

1) By admitting that the vax-induced protection begins to decrease over time, this is (in the academic sense) an admission that the vaccines alone, after full dosing, aren't a 1-stop cure-all for Covid. More dosage is needed later.

2) By saying that the vaccines must be boosted (re-administered) from time-to-time indicates that the vaccines are still being studied. They might be considered very successful if they prevent severe symptoms, hospitalizations, and / or death, even when they need periodic re-administration.

IMHO, the second scenario is in effect. Other wonder-treatments must also be re-administered regularly: ie, insulin (daily). You might want to get a flu shot each year (although I don't think that is a booster situation). The video also says the US has donated 100 million doses to other countries, and is on its way to donating more than 200 million doses (29:10 into the video).

SG has done drive-by posts before, offering information as fact without offering a link or such as evidence. Show us the receipts, SG, and prove me wrong. At least ME provided some proof.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2603754]I watched most of the video, and respectfully disagree..[/QUOTE]Here is a graphic comparing vax to unvax out of 100,000 people in Wisconsin in the month of July. I'm sure there is some additional weighting required to account for population vax rate.

Cases.

Vax - 125 cases per 100,000.

Unvax 369 cases per 100,000.

Let's say that's 3 x more likely to get infected with COVID in the first place.

Hospitalisations.

Vax - 4. 9 admissions per 100,000.

Unvax 18.2 admissions per 100,000.

That's 3 x more likely to get hospitalised.

Deaths.

Vax - 0. 1 deaths per 100,000.

Unvax 1. 1 deaths per 100,000.

That's 11 times more unvaxed people die.

So even better when the boosters can be rolled out.

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2603765]SNIP

Deaths.

Vax - 0. 1 deaths per 100,000.

Unvax 1. 1 deaths per 100,000.

That's 11 times more unvaxed people die.

So even better when the boosters can be rolled out.[/QUOTE]The vaccines wane in effectiveness over time. Without boosters, Delta (or other) will possibly catch up to the vaxxed the same way it will hit the unvaxxed (the Israel issue, more coming on that soon).

[QUOTE=Sam14;2603274]Yes! Suggested thread title: CDC Public Relations".[/QUOTE]I was thinking thread title: "Covid sh*t".

[QUOTE=Sam14;2603278]I'm on a roll. . How bout even a competing thread, call it Tin Foil Chit Chat. [/QUOTE]Hahaha.

[QUOTE=Sam14;2603278]Westy, that little rant below was rather sarcastic but it was in no way meant as a jab at you. I super appreciate the guys like you, GE, Advan and others who are on the ground reporting. It's great to hear what's actually happening, and keeping this forum alive. If I had anything more useful to add, I'the chime in. Thanks man![/QUOTE]No offense taken. I pay GE, Advan, and a few others each month to thumbs-up anything I say.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2603288]While it's difficult to present a clear, data-based picture of what's happening throughout the country it appears (should be in italics) that the situation is worsening; at best it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Davao, where I live, escaped more stringent lockdowns until a couple of days ago when more severe measures were imposed. CdO, where a good friend of mine lives, is also heavily restricted (in theory), as is most of MetroManila. Some of the more rural areas in which I also have friends, appear to be restricting movements sporadically. That said, at least here in Davao, regardless of the "official" categorization, day-to-day life doesn't seem to change much. That is, stores are still open, bars are still closed, restaurants have limited capacity and are mostly empty to sparsely populated. Virtually everyone is masked all of the time, while driving (even alone in the car), walking, in retail establishments or anywhere else out in public. Given the dearth of people I've observed in the larger malls here, the closure of restaurants (including our own), and the number of "space available" signs throughout the city, I conclude that the economy is struggling, but I've seen nothing official from the city government. [/QUOTE]That description is typical of my experience both in the province for a year, and half that time in the city. My only slightly different perspective is that all areas will eventually be going thru the cyclical nature of GCQ (mild restrictions) / ECQ (strict). All of northern Mindanao is a good example, from Surigao to Iligan (each main city along that route has been in / out of ECQ / GCQ since the start. A month or 6 weeks of ECQ, a few months of GCQ. Rinse / Lather / Repeat. Here's the bad part: The slowness of the pace of getting more jabs into arms (regardless the reason) means that this could go on for more than just a matter of months. As we've mentioned before, leaders might just say "Eff it" and open borders. That said, even if the prodigal sons return, I am not sure there will be a fatted cow available for them to eat. Are you willing to fly here, isolate, skip the nightlife, order your food sent to your hotel / condo thru Grab Eats, be allowed only 1 guest in total to register in your hotel / condo, use ST hotels for all the other girls? Worse, if your area goes into hard lockdown, are you OK staying inside for a few weeks, only going out for the grocery store, pharmacy, or doctor? If you are only here for 1-3 weeks, is any of this trip wise from a cost / benefit analysis?

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2603288]Given the current limbo, and based on nothing but my own inferences, I doubt seriously that the country is going to open in any meaningful way to foreigners any time soon. On the other hand, the tourism sector is on life support, and the government may just take a "screw it" attitude and start to allow entry of the fully vaccinated from "green" countries; a list which does not at the moment, include the United States.[/QUOTE]I get messages from the fellas sitting in their home countries, like this: "Certainly this can't last forever. Don't you think they will open up and allow tourists by THIS (or THAT) month?" Saying here the same thing that I reply back: I have no idea if that is how or when it will happen. Guessing that whenever the prodigal sons return, they will at first be walking into in-country travel bubbles (your trip will take you to a resort spot, and nowhere else) for a period of time. After that, other areas will be exposed to the foreigners, and they might be walking into the exact same situation myself, GE, or others have described.

Just for fun, see the pics. First and second pics are more recent Burgos pics. During the past 6 weeks of ECQ / MECQ, all restaurants are closed to sit-down dining. That eliminates the two previously opened places: The Cuervo Cantina and Bourbon. The only thing that is open, from Makati Ave to Kalayaan to Luna, are the 7-11's and Family Mart. The chismis from the bakla (9 or 10 on the Burgos / Durban corner) was that Ringside / Mixed Nuts was sold in mid 2020 and the buyer was wanting to make a legit restaurant, but nothing happened after that. To be fair, when NCR goes back to GCQ, Cuervo and Bourbon will re-open.

Last pic is Robinson's Malate, 3 weeks ago. Even after I posted the last set of Robinson's pics showing a desolate and mostly-closed mall, a day or two later and still mostly closed, were these long lines (floors 2, 3, 4) waiting for a vaccine. Even while mostly closed during ECQ (grocery store and a handful of coffee shops selling takeout were the only things open in the mall), they were having these mass-vax sites up and running. Now that we are at MECQ, many retailers have re-opened in the mall (still no resto sit-down until GCQ, for mall and the entire NCR). The no sit down is also for carindarias.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2603754]I watched most of the videog. At least ME provided some proof.[/QUOTE]Unfortunately for me, the CDC, the NIAID (Fauci), Surgeon General and WHO used to be my most reliable source in order of trust.

Under the Trump, the first 3 were blatantly politicized and misleading (a kinder way of putting it).

WHO is a political organization so I have always viewed what they say through a political prism. Most of their PPE stockpile were shipped to Africa. Nobody mentioned what happened to the Ebola fighting money donated and received. There supposedly was quite a large surplus.

Under Biden, my top 3 choices did not improve much. Especially with the "gain of function" bombshell during the summer about the Fauci NIAID funded research on the Corona virus in Wuhan.

The UK ministers were no better for their recommendations and breaking those recommendations.

Raw data and information is really the only way to gather and analyze and format a semi educated course of action. But that requires a high multidisciplinary knowledge and skill that escape most if not all people.

So healthy debates on this forum is actually good. Citing sources highlight information that is sometimes glossed over on local media or macnews. The side effects are not minor issues but downplayed to not negatively impact vaccine take-up rate.

In either case, the move towards management versus elimination strategy is actually openly discussed. Maybe VP Duterte will go down that route and open up PI.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2603772]That description is typical of my experience both in the province for a year, and half that time in the city. My only slightly different perspective is that all areas will eventually be going thru the cyclical nature of GCQ (mild restrictions) / ECQ (strict). All of northern Mindanao is a good example, from Surigao to Iligan (each main city along that route has been in / out of ECQ / GCQ since the start. A month or 6 weeks of ECQ, a few months of GCQ. Rinse / Lather / Repeat. Here's the bad part: The slowness of the pace of getting more jabs into arms (regardless the reason) means that this could go on for more than just a matter of months. As we've mentioned before, leaders might just say "Eff it" and open borders. That said, even if the prodigal sons return, I am not sure there will be a fatted cow available for them to eat. Are you willing to fly here, isolate, skip the nightlife, order your food sent to your hotel / condo thru Grab Eats, be allowed only 1 guest in total to register in your hotel / condo, use ST hotels for all the other girls? Worse, if your area goes into hard lockdown, are you OK staying inside for a few weeks, only going out for the grocery store, pharmacy, or doctor? If you are only here for 1-3 weeks, is any of this trip wise from a cost / benefit analysis?

I get messages from the fellas sitting in their home countries, like this: "Certainly this can't last forever. Don't you think they will open up and allow tourists by THIS (or THAT) month?" Saying here the same thing that I reply back: I have no idea if that is how or when it will happen. Guessing that whenever the prodigal sons return, they will at first be walking into in-country travel bubbles (your trip will take you to a resort spot, and nowhere else) for a period of time. After that, other areas will be exposed to the foreigners, and they might be walking into the exact same situation myself, GE, or others have described.

Just for fun, see the pics. First and second pics are more recent Burgos pics. During the past 6 weeks of ECQ / MECQ, all restaurants are closed to sit-down dining. That eliminates the two previously opened places: The Cuervo Cantina and Bourbon. The only thing that is open, from Makati Ave to Kalayaan to Luna, are the 7-11's and Family Mart. The chismis from the bakla (9 or 10 on the Burgos / Durban corner) was that Ringside / Mixed Nuts was sold in mid 2020 and the buyer was wanting to make a legit restaurant, but nothing happened after that. To be fair, when NCR goes back to GCQ, Cuervo and Bourbon will re-open.

Last pic is Robinson's Malate, 3 weeks ago. Even after I posted the last set of Robinson's pics showing a desolate and mostly-closed mall, a day or two later and still mostly closed, were these long lines (floors 2, 3, 4) waiting for a vaccine. Even while mostly closed during ECQ (grocery store and a handful of coffee shops selling takeout were the only things open in the mall), they were having these mass-vax sites up and running. Now that we are at MECQ, many retailers have re-opened in the mall (still no resto sit-down until GCQ, for mall and the entire NCR). The no sit down is also for carindarias.[/QUOTE]That sucks!

Is getting worse and worse. What about tourist destinations?

I read that Boracay is open for tourist at this moment, and that Palawan will be open soon too.

I hope it gets better by December, still 3 months to go.

Anyways, I'm still going there before Christmas and for 4 months at least, nothing will stop me from not going.

I just hope the 10 days quarantine will be shorten to a week or less, specially since Canada right now is a low risk country but is still not in the green list of countries for the Philippines.

[QUOTE=SteveNash;2604087]That sucks!

Is getting worse and worse. What about tourist destinations?



I just hope the 10 days quarantine will be shorten to a week or less, .[/QUOTE]Correct me if I m wrong, 14 days mandatory quarantine is what I read from the official websites.

10 days minimum at dedicated hotels, balance 4 days can be at home according to LGUs but it's irrelevant to tourists.

[QUOTE=Datiao;2604104]Correct me if I m wrong, 14 days mandatory quarantine is what I read from the official websites.

10 days minimum at dedicated hotels, balance 4 days can be at home according to LGUs but it's irrelevant to tourists.[/QUOTE]

Yes exactly 10 days in a hotel where they will watch you closely, the other 4 days at home nobody will watch you because you had passed your covid test by the 10th day. So basically only 10 days.

I wonder if those hotels have a recreation area so you can chill with others, I remember last year when I came back from Philippines and I had to do 14 days quarantine in an airport hotel in Canada, we had 1 hour lunch and 2 breaks of 30 minutes to go outside and mingle and talk with other people in the hotel doing their quarantine (the recreation area was outdoors but had a fence/barrier of course) .

That will be a great chance to meet a girl and exchange numbers. I met a Chinese hairdresser that way, 37 years old divorced single mom, she look younger and had big boobs, strange for an asian. I got her number and we ended up hooking up on January, she even cut my hair when the hair salon were close for 6 months here in Canada.

I know for sure there will be some OFW young ladies doing quarentine in those hotels. And if she is staying in the same floor even better.

[QUOTE=SteveNash;2604134]Yes exactly 10 days in a hotel where they will watch you closely, the other 4 days at home nobody will watch you because you had passed your covid test by the 10th day. So basically only 10 days.

I wonder if those hotels have a recreation area so you can chill with others, I remember last year when I came back to Canada from Philippines and I had to do 14 days quarantine in an airport hotel here, we had 1 hour lunch and 2 breaks of 30 minutes to go outside and mingle and talk with other people in the hotel doing their quarantine.

That will be a great chance to meet a girl and exchange numbers. I met a Chinese hairdresser that way, 37 years old divorced single mom, she look younger and had big boobs, strange for an asian. I got her number and we ended up hooking up on January, she even cut my hair when the hair salon were close for 8 months here in Canada.

I know for sure there will be some OFW young ladies doing quarentine in those hotels. And if she is staying in the same floor even better.[/QUOTE]Hehe, new mongering strategy.

We have to adapt for sure.

[QUOTE=SteveNash;2604134]

I wonder if those hotels have a recreation area so you can chill with others, I remember last year when I came back from Philippines and I had to do 14 days quarantine in an airport hotel in Canada, we had 1 hour lunch and 2 breaks of 30 minutes to go outside and mingle and talk with other people in the hotel doing their quarantine (the recreation area was outdoors but had a fence/barrier of course) .

That will be a great chance to meet a girl and exchange numbers....

I know for sure there will be some OFW young ladies doing quarentine in those hotels. And if she is staying in the same floor even better.[/QUOTE]Lots of cases here (not the PI) of Quarantine security guards banging detainees, guys jumping balcony dividers or skipping bail to meet outside gfs.

One of the contractors actually lost a multi-million dollar contract because they couldn't control their horny employees.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2604263]Lots of cases here (not the PI) of Quarantine security guards banging detainees, guys jumping balcony dividers or skipping bail to meet outside gfs..[/QUOTE]The San Fernando Valley should be on this. Make a change from pizza deliveries and lpumbers.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2604263]Lots of cases here (not the PI) of Quarantine security guards banging detainees, guys jumping balcony dividers or skipping bail to meet outside gfs.

One of the contractors actually lost a multi-million dollar contract because they couldn't control their horny employees.[/QUOTE]I can see that happening, since security quarentine guards have more power to do whatever they want in those places, they know where the security cameras are, where the blind spots are, who is doing the rounds, what time exactly is safe for them to have sex.

Maybe I should get a partime job as a quarentine security guard, LOL. I talked to many of them and they seem to be new immigrants, most of them were Mexican, with less than 3 years in Canada, at least 3 of them told me that.

The advantage to hooking up there is that most of the single (women) travelers are more open minded when it comes to sex, even the western women, if they travel single to another country, they are looking to have adventure and of course many of them wild sex.

From previous mention about Israel's dramatic increase among vaxxed persons, an article from NPR explaining why.

[URL]https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/08/20/1029628471/highly-vaccinated-israel-is-seeing-a-dramatic-surge-in-new-covid-cases-heres-why[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Israel had fully vaccinated slightly over half its population by March 25. Infections waned, venues reopened to the vaccinated and the prime minister told Israelis to go out and have fun. By June, all restrictions, including indoor masking, were abolished. But Israel paid a price for the early rollout. Health officials, and then Pfizer, said their data showed a dip in the vaccine's protection around six months after receiving the second shot. SNIP

It was a perfect storm: The vaccine's waning protection came around the same time the more infectious delta variant arrived in Israel this summer. Delta accounts for nearly all infections in Israel today. "The most influential event was so many people who went abroad in the summer vacations and brought the delta variant very, very quickly to Israel," said Siegal Sadetzki, a former public health director in Israel's Health Ministry. SNIP

The country jumped out ahead of all other countries on vaccines, and 78% of eligible Israelis over 12 years old are vaccinated. But Israel has a young population, with many under the eligible age for vaccination, and about 1.1 million eligible Israelis, largely between the ages of 12 and 20, have declined to take even one dose of the vaccine. That means only 58% of Israel's total citizenry is fully vaccinated. Experts say that's not nearly high enough.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2604453]From previous mention about Israel's dramatic increase among vaxxed persons, an article from NPR explaining why.[/QUOTE]Surely that article is conflating the topics and the fact as quoted in the article was that Israel was not at the vaccination level to achieve what they were trying to do. If at 100% efficacy any vaccine will have limited public health benefit at 58% population coverage.

Interesting time...now Israel is off my punter calendar

[QUOTE=SteveNash;2604087]I read that Boracay is open for tourist at this moment.[/QUOTE]As far as I am aware, the Philippines is still closed to foreign tourists and is likely to be closed for some time yet. The only people allowed to enter the country now are returning Filipinos, diplomats, air-crew, resident permit holders and those foreigners with either a Filipino spouse or parents or children of Filipino citizens.

If you are already in the country then in-country tourism is allowed (whether you are a local ie a Filipino, or a foreigner living here), but this is subject to the current lockdown regulations.

NCR lockdown status changes tomorrow, from Sept 16 to 30th. Curfew goes from the current 8 pm to 10 pm start. Outdoor restos can seat up to 30% capacity, indoor restos at 10% (and only for the vaxxed). They have stopped using the ECQ / GCQ terminology, now calling it 'Alert Level', and using the term 'granular' to indicate that they will continue to hard lockdown homes, compounds, individual buildings, or neighborhoods as needed.

[URL]https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/09/14/news/metro-manila-under-alert-level-4-starting-sept-16-in-new-lockdown-scheme/1814684[/URL]

From the article [B]"Metro Manila under Alert Level 4 starting Sept. 16 in new lockdown scheme":[/B].

[I]IATF OKs implementation of granular lockdowns

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said curfew hours will be adjusted to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. from the current 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Individuals below 18 years old, citizens above 65 years old, persons with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women are prohibited from going out, "provided that they shall be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices."

Outdoor exercises will also be allowed but shall be limited to the general area of residence and minimum public health standards shall be followed. Indoor visitor or tourist attractions; indoor spaces for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events; indoor entertainment and recreational venues; gaming establishments, except those previously approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the President; social gatherings; staycations; and sports and leisure centers are not permitted.

Outdoor dining services, personal care services, and religious gatherings will be allowed for up to 30 percent of their seating or venue capacity, regardless of vaccination status. Those indoors, meanwhile, can operate for up to 10 percent, but shall only cater fully inoculated individuals.[/I]

The numbers don't lie. A study shows the Moderna vax and decreased effectiveness it is over time.

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/moderna-analysis-those-vaccinated-last-223130015.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]SNIP According to the data, which Moderna released Wednesday, a "study shows lower risk of breakthrough infection in participants vaccinated more recently (median 8 months after first dose) than participants vaccinated last year (median 13 months after first dose). A Moderna trial conducted over the summer, labeled Phase 3 COVE Study, revealed that "88 breakthrough cases of COVID-19 occurred in the more recently vaccinated group (49.0 cases per 1000 person-years) compared to 162 cases in the group vaccinated last year (77.1 cases per 1000 person-years)". SNIP

The research found that those who were vaccinated earlier on had a 50% higher rate of symptomatic breakthrough cases during the months of July and August compared to those who had received the vaccination later.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2604786]The numbers don't lie. A study shows the Moderna vax and decreased effectiveness it is over time.[/QUOTE]This is not new news, just news that people have tended to gloss over if not totally ignore. Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted a video of the CDC director talking about vaccines don't seem to be working in Israel for a couple seconds and the FDA people quitting because they want to push booster shots.

I know more people that have had covid after being vaccinated than people that have not been vaccinated and got covid. My cousin just told me yesterday that he had it and was vaccinated.

[url]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8BjQNUxhlpg[/url]

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2604803]This is not new news, just news that people have tended to gloss over if not totally ignore. Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted a video of the CDC director talking about vaccines don't seem to be working in Israel for a couple seconds and the FDA people quitting because they want to push booster shots.

I know more people that have had covid after being vaccinated than people that have not been vaccinated and got covid. My cousin just told me yesterday that he had it and was vaccinated.

[url]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8BjQNUxhlpg[/url][/QUOTE]This matches the reporting we see in the UK, and the suggestion a booster of a different type is recommended. What we heard this week, is that 99% of the people dying are un-vaccinated. The UK is seeing on average around 120 deaths per day.

Yes, you can catch it after being vaccinated, but you are less likely to be hospitalised. I don't see when this will end, with vaccines needing a booster regularly and the world at different rates of progress. My Davao GF has had her two Chinese shots, but no idea when visitors will be allowed to visit.

[QUOTE=PBtoCobra;2604847]This matches the reporting we see in the UK, and the suggestion a booster of a different type is recommended. What we heard this week, is that 99% of the people dying are un-vaccinated. The UK is seeing on average around 120 deaths per day. I don't see when this will end, with vaccines needing a booster regularly and the world at different rates of progress. [/QUOTE]FDA in US wisely just voted down boosters 16-2.

In the beginning, quarantine was lax by some standards in several places requiring quarantine. It was like the UK version of self certification of non suitability for vaccination. Had seen "quarantined" people wandering in public places, making outcall services, and generally going about like everyone else.

With designated quarantine areas, some places and jurisdictions that require quarantine do allow quarantined people to co-mingle. The area that is probably working, which only time will tell, is Phuket and a UK's popular destination.

There are videos online of handlers removing their PPE and going at it with a possibly infected (think zombie).

Actually, the zombie apocalypse modeling exercises have helped with projections.

Many places and jurisdictions do not have quarantine for qualified travelers. I can confirm they do exist. If you are looking for cheap pussy at a place open to almost everyone, I think the Phuket sandbox is the best option. Basically it is a Russian roulette cover game with some eastern block girls around.

My two cents.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2604263]Lots of cases here (not the PI) of Quarantine security guards banging detainees, guys jumping balcony dividers or skipping bail to meet outside gfs.

One of the contractors actually lost a multi-million dollar contract because they couldn't control their horny employees.[/QUOTE]

Who needs a booster? Who does not?

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/big-gap-between-pfizer-moderna-034719881.html[/URL]

From the article: [B]Big gap between Pfizer, Moderna vaccines seen for preventing COVID hospitalizations[/B].

[I]Data collected from 18 states between March and August suggest the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduces the risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19 by 91% in the first four months after receiving the second dose. Beyond 120 days, however, that vaccine efficacy drops to 77%.

Meanwhile, Moderna's vaccine was 93% effective at reducing the short-term risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and remained 92% effective after 120 days.[/I]

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

See pic. Informational item from the Phils DOH regarding Western Pacific nation's covid cases and deaths.

Another Bio-surveillance Report. From reporting two weeks ago. See pics. The Phils Delta death rate increase was 30-31% for the week from August 21-27 (from 26 to 33 deaths). This was during a hard lockdown. I ran a spreadsheet at that time showing that if unabated growth continued, that those 33 deaths would become almost 18,000 deaths just 6 months later.

In the week following, August 27 - September 3, a 39.3% increase (from 33 to 46 deaths). A revised spreadsheet shows that at 39.3% weekly growth on 46 deaths, after 6 months the number of deaths balloons to 131,000.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2605599]In the beginning, quarantine was lax by some standards in several places requiring quarantine. It was like the UK version of self certification of non suitability for vaccination. Had seen "quarantined" people wandering in public places, making outcall services, and generally going about like everyone else.

With designated quarantine areas, some places and jurisdictions that require quarantine do allow quarantined people to co-mingle. The area that is probably working, which only time will tell, is Phuket and a UK's popular destination.

There are videos online of handlers removing their PPE and going at it with a possibly infected (think zombie).

Actually, the zombie apocalypse modeling exercises have helped with projections.

Many places and jurisdictions do not have quarantine for qualified travelers. I can confirm they do exist. If you are looking for cheap pussy at a place open to almost everyone, I think the Phuket sandbox is the best option. Basically it is a Russian roulette cover game with some eastern block girls around.

My two cents.[/QUOTE]Yeah I agree, that was my initial thought when I met my friend in the quarantined facility, I was horny as hell during those 2 weeks and I thought about inviting my friend to my room, we even talked about that as a joke, to sneak-in and chill in eachother's room, she was staying in the floor below me so it wouldn't have been impossible to sneak-in without getting caught. But of course there was always in my mind that she might be infected since she was coming from China, I even google her hometown to see how many cases they had, LOL, hahahaha that's how horny I was!. BUT at the end I decided just to get her number and meeting her after the 14 days quarantine when I know for sure she doesn't have covid from her trip.

I am sure this have been mentioned here. Covid positive test can take 4 to 42 days after exposure. Maybe due to sample taking differences, infection during quarantine, just individual immune systems differences or some other reason. I always assume that when I travel, I might get infected. I always prepare to be stranded for a month somewhere.

The problem is how to not endanger your loved ones and previous close ones. Each trip is at 6 - 10 weeks, to be safe.

[QUOTE=SteveNash;2605904]Yeah I agree, that was my initial thought when I met my friend in the quarantined facility, I was horny as hell during those 2 weeks and I thought about inviting my friend to my room, we even talked about that as a joke, to sneak-in and chill in eachother's room, she was staying in the floor below me so it wouldn't have been impossible to sneak-in without getting caught. But of course there was always in my mind that she might be infected since she was coming from China, I even google her hometown to see how many cases they had, LOL, hahahaha that's how horny I was!. BUT at the end I decided just to get her number and meeting her after the 14 days quarantine when I know for sure she doesn't have covid from her trip.[/QUOTE]

Update on the New "Alert Level" system in place now in Manila. What is allowed, what is not. See pics.

The second pic, the levels. I find them a bit vague.

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/lifeline16911[/URL]

Anyone heard from Kabul Guy? It's been a few months since he was posting.

In other news, the university dean that I was dating in Pi before covid went down, just informed me that damn near her whole family tested positive although they were vaccinated.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2606895]In other news, the university dean that I was dating in Pi before covid went down, just informed me that damn near her whole family tested positive although they were vaccinated.[/QUOTE]What vaccine were they vaccinated with? China vaccine?

[QUOTE=BrizLad;2606743]Anyone heard from Kabul Guy? It's been a few months since he was posting.[/QUOTE]Was he in Kabul lately?

In other news, the university dean that I was dating in Pi before covid went down, just informed me that damn near her whole family tested positive although they were vaccinated.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2606895]In other news, the university dean that I was dating in Pi before covid went down, just informed me that damn near her whole family tested positive although they were vaccinated.[/QUOTE]Which is not a surprise.

Even vaccinated you can still catch covid, where the difference is, its that you are far better protected against severe forms.

But you can be tested positive.

And in a country with only lets say 20% vaccinated, many, many, vaccinated will continue to be tested positive, especially with delta variant.

The only solution for them is to reach 80% vaccinated to reduce the number of contamination.

And being positive doesn't mean being seriously ill.

Here's hoping that the recent easing of travel into the US will spur the opening of countries worldwide, especially the motherland--the phils. The Phils especially, seems to unfailingly imitate any trend from the US so lets hope. Life in these first world countries is definitely boring and I for one am ready for a PI trip.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2606911]In other news, the university dean that I was dating in Pi before covid went down, just informed me that damn near her whole family tested positive although they were vaccinated.[/QUOTE]At 95% effectiveness the probability that an isolate group will have contracted the virus is microscopically small. Something appears to be awry. Be skeptical and be circumspect.

They are wanting to vaccinate the youth. 39,000 registered. Isko is the mayor.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2607039]At 95% effectiveness the probability that an isolate group will have contracted the virus is microscopically small. Something appears to be awry. Be skeptical and be circumspect.[/QUOTE]You assumed they were vaccinated with Pfizer of Moderna. Which is highly unlikely. More likely vaccinated with CCP Sinovax which is not effective at all.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2610156]You assumed they were vaccinated with Pfizer of Moderna. Which is highly unlikely. More likely vaccinated with CCP Sinovax which is not effective at all.[/QUOTE]Absolutely true the chinese vaccines are the old style killed virus and clearly they are much less effective, and yep China sent a bunch to PHIL to use.

GG.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2610163]Absolutely true the chinese vaccines are the old style killed virus and clearly they are much less effective, and yep China sent a bunch to PHIL to use.

GG.[/QUOTE]My GF from Davao has had 2 of the Chinese vaccine. She knows about the efficacy of the Western ones and is a little bit pissed that the Chinese one may not protect her and her family as well.

[QUOTE=GenevaGuy;2610163]Absolutely true the chinese vaccines are the old style killed virus and clearly they are much less effective, and yep China sent a bunch to PHIL to use.

GG.[/QUOTE]IMHO, "the old style" vaccines still make up almost all of the other vaccines given worldwide. Some originated from methods not allowed today.

If you have vaccine concerns, old style have a long development and testing history. The production is also longer.

IMHO, the problem with the Chinese vaccines are that raw data and vetting and peer review are not available or not possible. Vaccines need to to be tested and reviewed.

Johnson Johnson vaccine has a one dose system but there are issues. Maybe a 2 dose formulation might be better. I am sure many propeller heads are reviewing the options. One dose would be great.

The good thing is that the China vaccine makers claim it prevents death. That is very important. It is claim also made by the major covid vaccines used in the US.

Version 2.0 covid vaccines are coming soon. All the covid vaccine makers want to ultimately get paid for their vaccines. BioNTech got a big boost from the US donation of its vaccine.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2610156]You assumed they were vaccinated with Pfizer of Moderna. Which is highly unlikely. More likely vaccinated with CCP Sinovax which is not effective at all.[/QUOTE]My girl got the Johnson (pun intended) and her family got AZ. So I guess those 2 are not effective at all either.

A good friend and her two 20 ish kids got their first Moderna jabs in Malabon on the 30th. Another son got Pfizer about two weeks ago.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2610420]My girl got the Johnson (pun intended) and her family got AZ. So I guess those 2 are not effective at all either.[/QUOTE]You can still get Covid even being doubled vaxxed. Just mild symptoms. Cases on this noted in the press. Maybe she is trying the sympathy card and is wanting you to send lots cash as the family very sick, no breadwinner (except you) etc etc.

IMHO more likely as AZ appears to be very effective longer term some studies state (more than Pfizer. But I don't want a debate on this! I have AZ and is effective IHMO.

[QUOTE=PBtoCobra;2610364]My GF from Davao has had 2 of the Chinese vaccine. She knows about the efficacy of the Western ones and is a little bit pissed that the Chinese one may not protect her and her family as well.[/QUOTE]Money. It is always money.

The creators and manufacturers of vaccine need and want to get paid. Even "free" vaccines through COVAX are paid for by money donations from richer countries. The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine was actually developed by a Turkish immigrant and his wife in Germany. But the US also did a lot of the basic research.

In the past, Malaysia and Thailand did not want to share avian flu virus samples until they got reassurances that they will get access to affordable vaccines later. China had sequenced the DNA of the virus found in Wuhan but did not want to share the data. Those who share information, especially sensitive ones, were subsequently scrubbed.

China donates some but they want to sell. IMHO the news I see also reported some strings attached.

In either case, whatever vaccine that can be acquired need to be used because of the short shelf life. Most importantly, all the US and WHO approved vaccines are supposedly able to lower or prevent death. Again, if you look at antibody levels 6 month later in BioNTech (600) and China (0) vaccine recipients, is it possibly true what the WHO is saying? Maybe.

It was like a long time when Ethiopia was suffering a famine crisis but they rejected US grain donations because they were genetically modified. IMHO, it is better to avoid starvation / death and eat the genetically modified grain.

Merck is coming out with a Covid pill to reduce hospitalization and prevent death. Pretty pricey at US1,000 per treatment. Pfizer is not far behind with their version. What I don't understand is that propeller heads were looking at this in the beginning. Why did it take so long? Most of the stuff in the Covid pills grew from previous AIDs research.

Oh. Some propeller heads got their BioNTech vaccines are were so confident that they got Covid and died. I watch the Covid situation in Israel closely because most got vaccinated and with BioNTech.

Regarding eye dees. In the old days, the hotel / condo guards would accept most any eye dee a girl had (even if it wasn't hers). They would take it, put it in a drawer, and give it back when the girl departed the residence with no troubling issues. But IMHO, things have changed. Previously many of my girl's eye dee was a sheet of paper, possibly a police clearance (b / w pic of the girl from the local PNP), or a laminated card (such as Phil Health), with the girl's photograph taped onto the card and then laminated over. Those are gone now. Most eye dees now look like your home country's driver's license. They are hard plastic and not laminated. They have a picture and signature area, and either a swipe / black rectangle containing info pertinent to you or your account (like a credit card), or bar / QR code. The have the Philippine flag or the Department's circular logo. Or other Phils insignia ghosted onto the card.

During covid I have had girls turned away from a mall and hotels for not having a 'valid' eye dee. One girl presented a recent police clearance and was rejected. One girl presented her laminated college eye dee and was rejected. Other girls have been rejected for previously-accepted eye dees (ie, Brgy eye dee). In the pic (eye dees accepted for passport application), notice the college eye dee. Shown as valid here, it was rejected at a common ST hotel. One of my regulars was turned away for her previous Phil Health eye dee; the hotel staff called if fake (it might have been, but we've used it before).

Valid eye dees are easy to acquire for girls who have a birth certificate. You / she can apply online for eye dees (ie Postal) and have them delivered (cost I think was p800 for a Postal, 1 week delivery fee was about p75, next-day delivery was p500). More than 20 post offices in NCR are now same-day Postal eye dee production (small extra fee) for walk-in.

The old days of girls producing any old eye dee (or alternately, bluffing the guard by saying: "Its ok, I will vouch for her" or such) are gone. Covid rues have made Guards and staff to be strict. The hotel staff that turned away my girl with the Phil Health laminated card said: "If this is real then you to go Phil Health they will replace it with a real Phil Health card". We walked up the street to a pensionne house I have used before and were rejected at the front desk for the same reason (they had never asked a girl for any eye dee before).

Age: Your residence (and ST hotels) at various times might reject anyone under age 21. "Sir the girl is not yet 21. At this time she can not go inside". But, but, but she has an eye dee and DID YOU SEE THAT ASS?

Notice on the bottom of the pic: "NBI Clearnace is just a supporting document and is not a valid eye dee by itself". Also, a birth certificate is not a valid eye dee.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2611007]A good friend and her two 20 ish kids got their first Moderna jabs in Malabon on the 30th. Another son got Pfizer about two weeks ago.[/QUOTE]My mate living in Mindanao and his family are currently down with covid. Vaccinations were promised a month ago but the barangay squashed the idea as 'pfizer' was not safe according to their FB buddies. So now they are dealing with a local health crisis. Not much can really be done if anyone gets sick. Nearest hospital is hours away and has limited resources anyway. It's certainly not a hospital more an infirmary.

These local barangay people should not be making health decisions.

Take care everyone. Get vaccinated with whatever you can get.

P.S.: my local city in RWML has a masseuse who has worked 5 days in different parlours possibly spreading the virus. Certainly it's going ot be a thorny problems if lots of punters get contacted and traced to her happy ending parlours.

[QUOTE=Bushes;2611249]Again, if you look at antibody levels 6 month later in BioNTech (600) and China (0) vaccine recipients, is it possibly true what the WHO is saying? Maybe.[/QUOTE]B: Can you share a link for this info? And what is the WHO saying?

I don't have the link now, but a few months ago there was a graphic posted on social media by the Phils government that showed which vaccine brands had been acquired by the government here (about 8 brands), how many doses of each, how many doses of each were gifted vs paid for, and what the government had paid per dose (when purchased). I believe Pfizer and Moderna were about $20 USD per dose, J-J and Astrazenica were about $15 per dose, and the others were much cheaper, under $10/ dose (Sinovac was $2/ dose). I can't remember if I posted it.

Hypothetical: Consider the cost of vaccinating all 110,000,000 pinoy with the most expensive, such as Pfizer. 110,000,000 x $20 x 2 (doses each) = $4. 4 billion USD. Now consider the costs of the lockdowns: Ayuda ($80 USD) to each family, multiple times (at least twice, for around $3 billion). Closed business revenue. Closed taxation revenue. Increased hospital and DOH expenses paid for by the government. And I don't think we are done with ayuda. Isn't it just cheaper to buy the doses?

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2611185]You can still get Covid even being doubled vaxxed. Just mild symptoms. Cases on this noted in the press. Maybe she is trying the sympathy card and is wanting you to send lots cash as the family very sick, no breadwinner (except you) etc etc.[/QUOTE]LOL. No. She is a university dean and her family is full of doctors and lawyers. No need for me to be a savior. She has never asked me for 1 peso.

Some good news, the USD / peso is back up above 50:1, working well for me.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2611555]B: Can you share a link for this info? And what is the WHO saying?

I don't have the link now, but a few months ago there was a graphic posted on social media by the Phils government that showed which vaccine brands had been acquired by the government here (about 8 brands), how many doses of each, how many doses of each were gifted vs paid for, and what the government had paid per dose (when purchased). I believe Pfizer and Moderna were about $20 USD per dose, J-J and Astrazenica were about $15 per dose, and the others were much cheaper, under $10/ dose (Sinovac was $2/ dose). I can't remember if I posted it.

Hypothetical: Consider the cost of vaccinating all 110,000,000 pinoy with the most expensive, such as Pfizer. 110,000,000 x $20 x 2 (doses each) = $4. 4 billion USD. Now consider the costs of the lockdowns: Ayuda ($80 USD) to each family, multiple times (at least twice, for around $3 billion). Closed business revenue. Closed taxation revenue. Increased hospital and DOH expenses paid for by the government. And I don't think we are done with ayuda. Isn't it just cheaper to buy the doses?[/QUOTE]Was an off the cuff remark from news from people requesting Pfizer booster after China vaccine. To be fair, antibodies are only one indicator. We are still learning.

Money. It is the money. Prices are negotiated and supposedly confidential. Except for AZ which is to be public domain and should drop significantly from your numbers. Moderna took government money and I am not sure what is the deal. EU does not want to relax patent rules for Covid.

Nothing is without risks. For me, myocardial infarction is the same as a heart attack. Especially after reading your numbers. There is Boris' answers to them pile up high.

Thanks to the member who sent this link (abs-cbn website). Pics are numbers vaxxed in phils. Types of vaccines procured (brand, donated, purchased / procured). Percentage vaccinated.

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/multimedia/infographic/03/23/21/philippines-covid-19-vaccine-tracker[/URL]

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/cm/got-pfizer-protection-drops-below-155502055.html[/URL]

News from the Pfizer front. The timeframe of the effectiveness of the vax. I would like to see this kind of data for all the brands. From the article:

[I]On Oct. 4, The Lancet published a study that examined the Pfizer vaccine's effectiveness over six months. According to the study, the effectiveness of Pfizer at preventing COVID infection dropped to 47 percent from 88 percent six months after the second dose. However, the vaccine's effectiveness at preventing severe outcomes remained high. Pfizer was 90 percent effective at preventing hospitalization and death related to COVID for at least six months, even as the highly transmissible Delta variant became the most dominant strain of the virus.[/I]

SNIP.

[I]Vaccine effectiveness against the Delta variant began at 93 percent after the first month, then dropped to 54 percent after four months. Meanwhile, against other COVID strains, efficacy fell from 97 percent to 67 percent. "To us, that suggests Delta is not an escape variant that is completely evading vaccine protection," study leader Sara Tartof, PhD, told Reuters.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2611897]Pfizer was 90 percent effective at preventing hospitalization and death related to COVID for at least six months, [/QUOTE]And how would they know these 90% would be dead or hospitalized without their vaccine? Johnson asked today that people have to take more of theirs. They say protection is not waning, but just to have extra protection!

[URL]https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/05/health/johnson-covid-vaccine-boosters-eua-request/?utm_term=1633430330598397a9f857c1c&utm_source=cnn_Breaking+News&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=%2F1aTQUct9rX0BG4Qb%2F3t3iXCkovEgVypMjEkQH%2BxnaINTHyILIsLqQ74uYZgZvR9&bt_ts=1633430330600[/URL]

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2611913]And how would they know these 90% would be dead or hospitalized without their vaccine?[/QUOTE]Er, the usual methods of enrolling a bunch of people who have been vaccinated and a bunch of people who have not been vaccinated, normalize for the usual parameters like age, sex, gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity, and then compare the number of people in both groups who require hospitalization?

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2611913]And how would they know these 90% would be dead or hospitalized without their vaccine? Johnson asked today that people have to take more of theirs. They say protection is not waning, but just to have extra protection!

[URL]https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/05/health/johnson-covid-vaccine-boosters-eua-request/?utm_term=1633430330598397a9f857c1c&utm_source=cnn_Breaking+News&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=%2F1aTQUct9rX0BG4Qb%2F3t3iXCkovEgVypMjEkQH%2BxnaINTHyILIsLqQ74uYZgZvR9&bt_ts=1633430330600[/URL][/QUOTE]Because there has been a global trial of unvaccinated people since November 2019 and the unvaccinated humans haven't been doing too good in that trial. So it's easy to compare a sample of the 1,000,000 from April, May, June 2020 last year with 1,000,000 vaccinated people in this year.

Regarding pregnancy and vaccines. 'Urgent' warning from CDC:

[URL]https://currently.att.yahoo.com/lifestyle/pregnant-women-covid-vaccine-choices-cdc-urgent-warning-120054307.html[/URL]

Guessing that if your gal is buntis, her next jab should be in a different bodily location (alternately send her to Dr. Westy): From the article:

[I]"CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination outweigh known or potential risks," the Sept. 29 advisory reads. The message also contains concerning data about pregnant women and COVID-19.

As of Sept. 27, the CDC says, more than 125,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in pregnant women, including more than 22,000 hospitalized cases and 161 deaths. In August alone, 22 pregnant women died of the virus, CDC data show.

Data also indicate that about 97 percent of pregnant women who are hospitalized with COVID-19 were unvaccinated. "In addition to the risks of severe illness and death for pregnant and recently pregnant people, there is an increased risk for adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth and admission of their neonate (s) to an intensive care unit," the CDC says. "Other adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as stillbirth, have been reported. ".

There's also this unsettling fact: As of Sept. 18, just 31 percent of pregnant women were fully vaccinated before or during their pregnancy.[/I]

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2611913]And how would they know these 90% would be dead or hospitalized without their vaccine? Johnson asked today that people have to take more of theirs. They say protection is not waning, but just to have extra protection!

[URL]https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/05/health/johnson-covid-vaccine-boosters-eua-request/?utm_term=1633430330598397a9f857c1c&utm_source=cnn_Breaking+News&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=%2F1aTQUct9rX0BG4Qb%2F3t3iXCkovEgVypMjEkQH%2BxnaINTHyILIsLqQ74uYZgZvR9&bt_ts=1633430330600[/URL][/QUOTE]Every time I hear Fauci, I think of the gain of function research he funded in Wuhan and kept quiet for a year and a half. Then there is the no mask advice. And the no PPE advice.

At least in Prometheus, they did the experiments and storage on a different planet / universe and not on the other side of the same planet.

As for the vaccine research, the test groups are not in the millions. Phase 3 trials might be in the thousands. It depends on what is reported back to the manufacturer from the front line doctors / medical institutions. There is not a bottomless pit of money to pay for tests. I am sure, many things fall through the cracks and will only surface later. Covid tests cost money are are not 100% accurate.

They now blame the hospitalizations and spread on the unvaccinated. Problem is that vaccinated can still transmit and pass on the virus. I suspect the vaccinated are probably thinking that they can live life like before and might be a big contributor to the spread. Their symptoms are not as bad and they probably have a shorter infectious period. IMHO, a perfect spreader.

AZ vaccines are not always available. Ask the EU. I thought AZ is suppose to be very price competitive. Problem is India and China are big drug manufacturers. So China probably want to promote their own vaccine. WHO approved the China vaccine with probably less independent data and review. Kind of like the World Bank leader who fudged some economic numbers so China does not look bad.

IMHO, the current advice is that the benefit of a vaccine out weigh its risks. So go for it unless you live in a bubble.

It's been more than 18 months since they closed entry to the country for foreign tourists. There can be nothing worse than travelling a quarter or a half way round the world, like the 3 people mentioned in this news report (link below), only to be told by immigration staff when you arrive in the Philippines that they won't let you in!

[I][B]BI reminds aliens they need visas to enter PH[/B]
By Margret Fermin -October 8, 2021

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded foreign nationals intending to travel to the Philippines that they must secure the appropriate visa to be able to enter the country.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said [B]the Philippines remains closed to foreign tourist due to the Covid-19 pandemic[/B], following resolutions from the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), thus only aliens with valid and existing visas are allowed entry.

Morente added that tourists or temporary visitors who are coming here for business, humanitarian or other meritorious reasons should apply for 9(a) visas and entry exemption documents (EED) from any of the Philippine embassies or consulates abroad.

Until now we have been getting reports of aliens being turned back at our airports because they dont have visas at all, he said.

He lamented that exclusions of improperly documented aliens at the airports continue despite the bureaus repeated reminders and public advisories on the need to have a visa via its website, the social media sites and the press.

Morente again reminded airlines that it is also their responsibility to see to it that foreigners who booked their flights to the Philippines have valid visas.

BI reminds aliens they need visas to enter PH
The BI Chief issued the statement upon learning that three foreigners were recently turned back by immigration officers at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) for failure to present valid entry visas.

Two of the passengers, an Australian and a German, were excluded on Tuesday after arriving from Singapore while the other one, an American, arrived last Saturday from Los Angeles, USA.

They all claimed during interview they were unaware that they needed to get visas before coming here.

Two of them said they are married to Filipinos who were not traveling with them while the other one said he was going to visit his Filipina fiance.

Airlines are subjected to administrative fines if they board improperly documented foreign nationals, said Morente. Hence we wish to reiterate the importance of proper documentation to avoid such incidents.[/I]

[URL]https://philippineslifestyle.com/bi-reminds-aliens-need-visas-to-enter-ph[/URL]

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2612623]It's been more than 18 months since they closed entry to the country for foreign tourists. There can be nothing worse than travelling a quarter or a half way round the world, like the 3 people mentioned in this news report (link below), only to be told by immigration staff when you arrive in the Philippines that they won't let you in!

[I]Airlines are subjected to administrative fines if they board improperly documented foreign nationals, said Morente. Hence we wish to reiterate the importance of proper documentation to avoid such incidents.[/I][/QUOTE]I think we have discussed previous to Covid that the Philippines Immigration rules are hardwired into airline computer systems (and rarely updated). Several times I have reached LAX / SFO / Other Longbow airport, only to be confronted at the check-in counter about this or that visa / Immigration issue and refused boarding, only to be allowed to board a short time later when the airline (KAL, Delta, ANA) check-in supervisor had to google on his / her phone to get the Phils Immigration update. The airline's computers should catch these issues at the swipe of your passport at check-in. I later visited a KAL office to confirm an upcoming trip so there would be no problems at the airport, and the KAL lady told me that the same computer catch would have happened if the I had purchased tickets thru a travel agent and provided my passport in advance.

The three gents in the report. Technically its the airline's fault. Even for the ones coming to Phils because of a pinay spouse or child (currently allowed I think), they can not come as simple tourists, they must apply for and receive a visa thru a Consulate for just that reason (it shows they are not simple tourists) before traveling. If they were turned away and taken back to Singapore or the point of origin, a simple Consulate visa application to visit their family in Phils would seem to rectify the situation (and cost them a week's time getting here). Someone correct me if this is wrong. I was told by a similar inbound Phils gent after his arrival (and his visit to a Consulate first) that marriage and / or birth certificates and pics of you and your pinay spouse or child are necessary proof at the Consulate for said visa.

OTOH. It would seem common knowledge that the vast majority of countries have shuttered their borders to tourists for the duration, and one should check directly by phone or email the Immigration policy of said inbound country (never hurts to contact a travel agency. . .). OTOOH (On The Other Other Hand), here in Phils, I am finding many locals who have no idea that their country is closed to tourists. They confuse the regulars who live here (and thus stayed during Covid) with fellas such as myself, who come / go at will. They think of the expat regulars as tourists. "Bob is here. He is allowed to come here. The tourists can go here if they want". Bob is a 13 (a) Permanent Resident visa, complete with wife and property here; he never has to leave, and as such can come / go as he pleases. He is not a 2-week warrior who was home when the lockdown hit. Hard to make the distinction here.

Good update Mdemde.

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/pfizers-covid-19-immunity-protection-032404881.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]In the first study, researchers from Qatar found that Pfizer's immunity protection drops to as low as 20% just four months after a person receives their second dose. They based their report on observations of infections among Qatar's over 900,000 vaccinated people. The researchers found that Pfizer's protection against infection was "negligible" shortly after the first dose, but jumps to 36.8% three weeks later. When people receive their second dose, immunity protection increases to 77.5% after about a month.

But once that month is over, Pfizer's immunity effectiveness declines steadily, hovering at around 20% after the four-month mark, per the researchers..[/I] SNIP.

[I]Still, Pfizer's protection against hospitalization and death remained "robust" at 90% or higher for six months after the second dose, it said..[/I] SNIP.

[I]The other study, conducted in Israel, looked at 4,868 healthcare workers. It reported that people have substantially decreased COVID-19 antibodies just six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer's vaccine. The drop is especially prominent among men, the elderly above 65, and those with weakened immune systems.

In comparison, vaccines for other conditions such as mumps, measles, and rubella only show small decreases of about 5% to 10% each year in neutralizing antibody levels, wrote the researchers.[/I]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2611627]Some good news, the USD / peso is back up above 50:1, working well for me.[/QUOTE]The GBP / PHP rate is also working well for me!

I normally do a monthly transfer near the end of every month from my UK bank to my bank in the Philippines and keep a record in a spreadsheet of the exchange rate. It has varied between a low of 59.61 in March last year and a high of 68.07 in July this year. At the end of last month I got 67.89.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2612668]The GBP / PHP rate is also working well for me!

I normally do a monthly transfer near the end of every month from my UK bank to my bank in the Philippines and keep a record in a spreadsheet of the exchange rate. It has varied between a low of 59.61 in March last year and a high of 68.07 in July this year. At the end of last month I got 67.89.[/QUOTE]A serious drop in March 2020, from 64.11 to 59.61 in one month. The Covid effect?

Memory challenged is a big problem. For the non Covid variety, this might help remind people of what comes from these beautiful islands.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WNMSo-sfAk[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2612659][URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/pfizers-covid-19-immunity-protection-032404881.html[/URL]

From the article:
In comparison, vaccines for other conditions such as mumps, measles, and rubella only show small decreases of about 5% to 10% each year in neutralizing antibody levels, wrote the researchers.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2612623]There can be nothing worse than travelling a quarter or a half way round the world, like the 3 people mentioned in this news report (link below), only to be told by immigration staff when you arrive in the Philippines that they won't let you in![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bushes;2612959]SNIP this might help remind people of what comes from these beautiful islands.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WNMSo-sfAk[/URL][/QUOTE]Hahaha that's great.

First person from the Philippines ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RArvuCLElaY[/URL]

[URL]https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/08/media/maria-ressa-nobel-peace-prize-interview-intl/index.html[/URL]

Here's an account put together by the Public Broadcasting Service in the states. Be advised it's about an hour and 40 minutes long, but it is sort of riveting:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQpjfWV_p6E[/URL]

Maybe this balances out some of the frequent accounts about Filipinas stealing, lying, and infecting mongers.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2612673]A serious drop in March 2020, from 64.11 to 59.61 in one month. The Covid effect?[/QUOTE]Yes, it was a serious drop of 7%, in just one month. I'm sure it had something to do with Covid, it must have spooked the currency traders!

The GBP / PHP exchange rate over the last 2 and a bit years I have been here has bobbed up and down a bit every month, as do all exchange rates, but that 7% drop was the sharpest fluctuation during that time period.

Based on plummeting covid case rates in Metro Manila, Bureau of Immigration chief Jaime Morente is optimistic that travel restrictions for inbound tourists will be lifted soon, but cautions that the decision is up to the Inter Agency Task Force, per Philippine Lifestyle News, October 11. Currently, there are no outbound restrictions for Filipinos however, only Filipinos, Balikbayans and foreigners with residency permits are permitted to enter.

International travel for the vaccinated is starting to return with almost daily reports of loosening of restrictions; Malaysia and Singapore being the latest to announce partial re openings.

Maybe soon the games will begin again with gusto as planeloads of merry foreigners descend on the fair shores of the motherland. The board abuzz with chatter about the latest conquest; punters earnestly seeking advise from fellow hobbyists on the moral fiber of this or that bar girl; and the inevitable storm in a teacup regarding the member who 'paid too much' and thus 'ruined it for the rest of us'.

Can't wait.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2613182]First person from the Philippines ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RArvuCLElaY[/URL]

[URL]https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/08/media/maria-ressa-nobel-peace-prize-interview-intl/index.html[/URL]

Here's an account put together by the Public Broadcasting Service in the states. Be advised it's about an hour and 40 minutes long, but it is sort of riveting:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQpjfWV_p6E[/URL]

Maybe this balances out some of the frequent accounts about Filipinas stealing, lying, and infecting mongers.[/QUOTE]Enjoyed the last one, PBS / 1000 cuts. However, it doesn't discount the lying nature of pinoys (it might show the exceptions to the rule). Good work SS, food for thought.

Covid comparison numbers for New Zealand. For the period of August during the Delta outbreak, of 1622 cases: 86% unvaccinated, 10% single dose, 4% double dosed (100% of total cases). Of those hospitalized: 91% unvaccinated, 7% single dose, 2% double dose (100% of hospitalizations).

And speaking of vaccines. Its possible that there might be misinformation out there on social media.

[QUOTE=DashingDon;2613500]Based on plummeting covid case rates in Metro Manila, Bureau of Immigration chief Jaime Morente is optimistic that travel restrictions for inbound tourists will be lifted soon, but cautions that the decision is up to the Inter Agency Task Force, per Philippine Lifestyle News, October 11. Currently, there are no outbound restrictions for Filipinos however, only Filipinos, Balikbayans and foreigners with residency permits are permitted to enter. SNIP Can't wait.[/QUOTE]Nice.

OTOH, there is this article on UAL cutting flights out of SFO:

[URL]https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2021/10/11/united-airlines-cuts-several-nonstop-flights-from.html?ana=yahoo[/URL]

From the article:

[I]United (NASDAQ: UAL) suspended SFO nonstops to Calgary, a Canadian energy and business center; Northwest Arkansas National Airport, popular with tech vendors and other suppliers to Walmart, based in nearby Bentonville; Toronto; St. Louis; and Oklahoma City.[/I] SNIP.

[I]SFOs dominant carrier did not have an immediate comment on the suspension of nonstop flights involving Bay Area airports, but the airline industry has been moving rapidly to adjust service schedules as the Delta variant cooled demand for business travel and delayed return-to-office plans at many companies.[/I] SNIP.

[I]But SFOs nonstop service to Shanghai, which had been Uniteds only nonstop service to China from San Francisco, has also been suspended through February. Bay Area residents traveling to Shanghai from SFO will have to travel through Seoul, South Korea, according to the Cranky Flyer travel blog.

[B]United told investors last month that it sees dim prospects for recovery in travel to Asia. "We're not expecting our Asian capacity to get back to normal anytime soon," said Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer.[/B][/I]

Apparently Andrew is not reading this Board.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2613878]Nice.

OTOH, there is this article on UAL cutting flights out of SFO:

[URL]https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2021/10/11/united-airlines-cuts-several-nonstop-flights-from.html?ana=yahoo[/URL]

From the article:

[I]United (NASDAQ: UAL) suspended SFO nonstops to Calgary, a Canadian energy and business center; Northwest Arkansas National Airport, popular with tech vendors and other suppliers to Walmart, based in nearby Bentonville; Toronto; St. Louis; and Oklahoma City.[/I] SNIP.

[I]SFOs dominant carrier did not have an immediate comment on the suspension of nonstop flights involving Bay Area airports, but the airline industry has been moving rapidly to adjust service schedules as the Delta variant cooled demand for business travel and delayed return-to-office plans at many companies.[/I] SNIP.

[I]But SFOs nonstop service to Shanghai, which had been Uniteds only nonstop service to China from San Francisco, has also been suspended through February. Bay Area residents traveling to Shanghai from SFO will have to travel through Seoul, South Korea, according to the Cranky Flyer travel blog.

[B]United told investors last month that it sees dim prospects for recovery in travel to Asia. "We're not expecting our Asian capacity to get back to normal anytime soon," said Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer.[/B][/I]

Apparently Andrew is not reading this Board.[/QUOTE]China is still not allowing entry to non-citizens unless you can get a "special visa" which are hard to come by, and the quarantine requirements for entry, even for returning citizens, is very strict. So not surprising that United is having troubles getting enough passengers to fill up an airplane.

The pilot shortage in the USA is very real and will only get worse if the US government insists on all pilots being vaccinated. Would not be surprised if most airlines start chopping their less profitable routes and just fly those that they have pilots and crew to handle.

I hear Southwest is offering free flights to passengers who know how to fly a 737.

From an October 7 article on new shipment of 5. 5 million doses of vaccines to Phils:

[URL]https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-delivers-additional-5-57-million-pfizer-biontech-vaccines-to-the-philippines/[/URL]

[I][B]Manila, October 7, 2021 The United States, in partnership with the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, delivered an additional 5,575,050 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines as part of its worldwide effort to help end COVID-19.[/B]

The vaccines, delivered in five separate shipments to Manila, Cebu, and Davao between October 1 to 6, were part of the 500 million doses of Pfizer the United States is making available for distribution through COVAX, a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.[/I]

//////////////////////////////////////////////////

From another, today, 1. 8 million doses:

[URL]https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-provides-1-84-million-more-pfizer-vaccines-to-the-philippines/[/URL]

[I][B]Manila, October 13, 2021  The United States, in partnership with the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, delivered an additional 1,842,750 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines as part of its worldwide effort to help end COVID-19.   [/B]

The vaccines, delivered in two separate shipments to Manila on October 10 and 11, were part of the 500 million doses of Pfizer the United States is making available for distribution through COVAX, a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. This follows last weeks delivery of 5.57 million doses of Pfizer vaccine to the Philippines. [/I]

[QUOTE=DashingDon;2613500]Based on plummeting covid case rates in Metro Manila, Bureau of Immigration chief Jaime Morente is optimistic that travel restrictions for inbound tourists will be lifted soon, but cautions that the decision is up to the Inter Agency Task Force, per Philippine Lifestyle News, October 11. Currently, there are no outbound restrictions for Filipinos however, only Filipinos, Balikbayans and foreigners with residency permits are permitted to enter.[/QUOTE]Interesting. That looks like a copy / paste from a news article. Regarding the plummeting covid case (or death) rates in Metro Manila, does anyone have evidence of that?

Some evidence of the opposite. See attached pics, from: [URL]https://doh.gov.ph/2019-ncov/[/URL].

The graph is the death rate (rolling 7-day average) for the NCR since the pandemic start. Note from July 1 of this year to present, it appears to be an uptick-and-hold (not a plummeting decline).

Also of interest: [URL]https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/80%25-OF-NEW-COVID-19-CASES-COME-FROM-11%25-30%25-OF-BARANGAYS-IN-NCR-PLUS-AND-SELECT-HUCs-IN-NCR[/URL].

Showing the majority of cases coming from only a handful of hotspots (from the pic, guessing Manila, QC, Caloocan, Pasig, and Valenzuela). Headline from the article:

[I]80% OF NEW COVID-19 CASES COME FROM 11%-30% OF BARANGAYS IN NCR PLUS AND SELECT HUCs IN NCR[/I]

And, just in from the CDC. Title of the article: Rates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status.

[URL]https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status[/URL]

See pic, the graphic says it all. Unvaccinated persons in August were 6 times more likely to get infected than fully vaccinated persons. And 11 times more likely to die than fully vaccinated.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2615149]And, just in from the CDC. Title of the article: Rates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status.

[URL]https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status[/URL]

See pic, the graphic says it all. Unvaccinated persons in August were 6 times more likely to get infected than fully vaccinated persons. And 11 times more likely to die than fully vaccinated.[/QUOTE]Good thing that nasty August is gone. Now we must be in the clear like the other months when things were pretty much even! Very interesting results posted by a BM in another thread about research that was sponsored by Pfizer.

[url]https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02183-8/fulltext[/url]

IMHO, the little video is much easier and understand and effortlessly crosses language and cultural barriers.

Covid is harder to understand. Especially the significance of gain of function research / proposals.

Many Covid cases and not diagnosed. Even in the beginning and even now. Many of the children and vaccinated do not show symptoms. There are some estimates of 16 times actual Covid cases versus reported cases.

The vaccine is not stopping the Covid spread but is slowing down death and hospitalizations. Pretty soon, things will be back to normal as restrictions are lowered and Covid is allowed to spread. The unvaccinated will be in deep shxt soon. Australia, US, New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Bali, Thailand and many other countries and going away from zero Covid strategy and opening up.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2613098]Hahaha that's great.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bushes;2612959]Memory challenged is a big problem. For the non Covid variety, this might help remind people of what comes from these beautiful islands.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WNMSo-sfAk[/URL][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2613583]Enjoyed the last one, PBS / 1000 cuts. However, it doesn't discount the lying nature of pinoys (it might show the exceptions to the rule). Good work SS, food for thought.[/QUOTE]Filipinos do lie. It's a cultural thing. My point was simply that ISG reports rarely find anything positive to say about the Philippines, aside from ready access to cheap sex. Maria Ressa is a bright spot; I know there are others but reports of this sort are seen as tangential to ISG. The PBS film actually emphasized the fabricated social media memes--lies, essentially. I'm glad we don't have to put up with any of that in the states.

I'd love to hear from some of our intrepid members currently in the Philippines: what is the state of vaccine resistance among Filipinos, and what seem to be their arguments?

Does anyone have the latest information regarding entry into the Philippines?

I'm fully jabbed from the UK.

[QUOTE=FunTimes69;2615405]Does anyone have the latest information regarding entry into the Philippines?

I'm fully jabbed from the UK.[/QUOTE]Most of the tourist oriented countries are looking at USA and European countries about relaxing their own Covid rules and restrictions. USA is allowing foreigners starting November with negative test for only vaccinated travelers. Thailand is also opening with restrictions for the moment. Philippines is looking at how other countries do before they open up. I am guessing pre testing before entry will be here for foreseeable future. Quarantine will go away for vaccinated people.

Problem is if anyone tests positive. All rules state that it will be compulsory quarantine for 14 days or at least till one tests negative couple of times. This has happened to many people who went on vacation only to be confined at one's own expense. At the moment it is hard to plan anything.

I am looking for the days where fully vaccinated requirements should only be the benchmark for travel and no testing.

[QUOTE=FunTimes69;2615405]Does anyone have the latest information regarding entry into the Philippines?

I'm fully jabbed from the UK.[/QUOTE]This news story was published online this morning, link below;.

[B]BI clarifies entry of alien tourists not yet allowed in PH[/B]

[I]By Margret Fermin -October 18, 2021

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified that foreign tourists are not yet allowed to enter the Philippines despite coming from green list countries.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente reiterated that only Filipinos, balikbayan, and those with valid and existing long term visas from green and yellow list countries are allowed to enter.

He said the reiteration came as the Bureau received numerous queries from foreign tourists who wish to fly to the Philippines already.

Morente added that Filipinos coming from red list countries may return via repatriation flights and bayanihan flights organized by government or non-government agencies.

On Friday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) released an updated list of Red, Green and Yellow List counries.

Said lists are effective starting October 16, 2021 up to October 31, 2021.

Romania has been classified under Red List, while 49 countries have been placed under the green list.

Included in the Green List are Algeria, American Samoa, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China (Mainland), Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Gibraltar, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), Kiribati, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Yemen.

The IATF-MEID said that all other countries not mentioned are classified under the Yellow List.

The testing and quarantine protocols of those arriving under these lists, according to the IATF-MEID, shall be implemented and monitored by the Bureau of Quarantine.

Despite these travel restrictions, we remain hopeful that international travel will be safely revived soon, said Morente.

Last week, Malacaang announced fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the Philippines are no longer required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a facility.

However, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test 72 hours before their departure from their country of origin.

They are also required to undergo home quarantine for 14 days.[/I]

[URL]https://philippineslifestyle.com/bi-clarifies-entry-of-alien-tourists-not-yet-allowed-in-ph/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2615626]Despite these travel restrictions, we remain hopeful that international travel will be safely revived soon, said Morente. Last week, Malacaang announced fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the Philippines are no longer required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a facility. However, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test 72 hours before their departure from their country of origin. They are also required to undergo home quarantine for 14 days.[/QUOTE]Great news, right?

[QUOTE=Sammon;2615437]Most of the tourist oriented countries are looking at USA and European countries about relaxing their own Covid rules and restrictions. USA is allowing foreigners starting November with negative test for only vaccinated travelers. [/QUOTE]Speaking of: [URL]https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cdc-mixed-doses-covid-19_n_616cc888e4b06573572f799a[/URL]. From the article:

[I]The CDCs updated guidance came shortly after the White House said travel restrictions into the U.S. will be lifted Nov. 8, capping a nearly 21-month stretch that barred unrestricted visitation from China, Canada, Mexico and Europe, as well as many other places. The measures, first enacted in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began to hammer the country, eviscerated the tourism industry and kept many families apart for nearly two years.[/I]

[QUOTE=Sammon;2615437]I am looking for the days where fully vaccinated requirements should only be the benchmark for travel and no testing.[/QUOTE]We are all looking for those days, but that would indicate pandemic over. I will PM you.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2615757]Great news, right?[/QUOTE]It's another step in the right direction.

The lockdown restrictions and ban on entry for foreign tourists can't last forever. As we all know it's been more than a year and a half since the first lockdown was imposed last year, and many millions of Filipinos are still out of work, seeking deeper and deeper into poverty.

As to when all lockdown restrictions will be lifted and the face-shield and mask mandates will be scrapped, and as to when the ban on entry for foreign tourists will be lifted, we can only speculate.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2615626] Included in the Green List are Algeria, American Samoa, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China (Mainland), Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Gibraltar, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), Kiribati, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Yemen.

[URL]https://philippineslifestyle.com/bi-clarifies-entry-of-alien-tourists-not-yet-allowed-in-ph/[/URL][/QUOTE]Some of the countries on the green list defy credulity. Makes you wonder if inclusion in the list is based on the countries' own reported case numbers. So, if a country's testing and reporting are non-existent, they get a pass onto the green list. The only other explanation for some of the African countries (where vaccination rates are very low) might be that covid seems to hit colder climate countries more severely.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2616393]Some of the countries on the green list defy credulity. Makes you wonder if inclusion in the list is based on the countries' own reported case numbers. So, if a country's testing and reporting are non-existent, they get a pass onto the green list. The only other explanation for some of the African countries (where vaccination rates are very low) might be that covid seems to hit colder climate countries more severely.[/QUOTE]I suspect that some countries on the Green List have supplied some of the green stuff to a number of officials to be honest. It's the only way they could be on it.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2616393]Some of the countries on the green list defy credulity. Makes you wonder if inclusion in the list is based on the countries' own reported case numbers. So, if a country's testing and reporting are non-existent, they get a pass onto the green list. The only other explanation for some of the African countries (where vaccination rates are very low) might be that covid seems to hit colder climate countries more severely.[/QUOTE]God. You are still attempting to find any logic in those political 'decisions' ?

Let's explore the wonderful new world order of back to normal shall we?

Japan: Pfizered can get in. If they go through a quarantine of 10 days instead of 14 days + PCR test twice. Guess they don't really trust the Pfizer inoculation.

Colombia: no vaccine required and no PCR test. Guess they don't give a shit anymore.

Argentina and Uruguay: only fully vaccined can get in in November. Guess the virus can't go through the border from Colombia.

Europe: the big chunk of full logic. J&J and Zeneca almost non existent. Sputnik still banned. North European countries just walked away from Moderna. But the European drug agency (where they take orders directly from Pfizer headquarters) stated that the third dose of Pfizer is recommended. But Moderna is an ARN messager like Pfizer.

Africa continent? Saved by the weather. I don't know. I remember numerous apocalyptic scenarios from the medias 6 month ago. Oh, they have been on hcq for decades, this horrific mainstream cheap medicine that can kill you. Guess there is no correlation. ABC news was wondering how Japan have managed to end the epidemic in a matter of weeks since September while the government green lighted again ivermectin in Sept. After having banned it under labs pressure.

Bottom line, nothing makes any sense. Considering the Philippines was a chaotic state before Covid let's assume that it's a very far fetch expectation that things would come back to normal in the next decade.

I'm not starting a vaccine debate. Just looking at the absurdity of it all.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2616393]Some of the countries on the green list defy credulity. Makes you wonder if inclusion in the list is based on the countries' own reported case numbers. So, if a country's testing and reporting are non-existent, they get a pass onto the green list. The only other explanation for some of the African countries (where vaccination rates are very low) might be that covid seems to hit colder climate countries more severely.[/QUOTE]And who from those countries can either afford to fly to the Philippines, stay in hotels etc? Mostly are poor countries or like in the Falklands far to far away to even warrant a worry about LOL.

But as many of these places remain high risk Covid (and low vax rates) and are not allowed to enter parts of Europe etc then we could easily see a spike in cases in the Philippines if crowds of Algerians, Samoans, etc flood the country looking for a fun time LOL.

[QUOTE=Spiroulegroom;2616511]I'm not starting a vaccine debate. Just looking at the absurdity of it all.[/QUOTE]Did they ever find the corpses of those four British Airways pilots that died of covid?

More vax stats, from the US CDC. See graphic. From a large sample, your chances of dying from Covid are this much greater for unvaccinated vs vaccinated in these age categories:

[U]Age[/U] -- [U] Increased risk for unvaccinated[/U].

80+ ---- 5 x.

65-79 -- 15 x.

50-64 -- 22 x.

30-49 -- 30 x.

18-29 -- 54 x.

12-17 -- 5 x.

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/age-still-huge-coronavirus-risk-090059106.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Data: CDC; Note: Data represents 30% of Americans across 16 jurisdictions: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York City, Seattle/King County, Wash., Utah and Wisconsin; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios[/I]

I'm writing a personal letter to Brother Kim to expedite my North Korean passport application. And congratulations to the illustrious brother leader for his success against this pandemic.

[QUOTE=Mahku;2617190]I'm writing a personal letter to Brother Kim to expedite my North Korean passport application. And congratulations to the illustrious brother leader for his success against this pandemic.[/QUOTE]Hahaha. Next time I have coffee with Kim, I will ask him to put a rush on that.

Pics:

1) Reason #181 why I love Phils. Couple of young honies just hanging around on their phones. They didn't seem to be waiting for a ride or anything. Just. . . Lounging outdoors.

2 & 3) Graphs from the CDC data showing Covid inoculation rate in the US. A peak around April of 4 million per day. Cratered off now to a fairly smooth 1 million per day. About 220 million dosed of 333 million people (66%; I think that is 1 dose or more, not necessarily fully dosed). By Christmas, that should be about 60 million more vaccines in arms, or about 280 million with 1 dose or more, closing 80% (herd immunity). Well, if it continues that way.

[URL]https://usafacts.org/visualizations/covid-vaccine-tracker-states/[/URL]

From the article:

[I]"At least 219,624,445 people or 67% of the population have received at least one dose. Overall, 189,924,447 people or 58% of the population have been fully vaccinated."[/I]

4) A reminder. When booking hotel / apartment / condo's in Philippines, you can use the number of persons allowed per room on websites such as Agoda, Booking, or Airbb. However, regardless of what it says on those sites (see pic, Queen bed hotel room good for up to 4 persons -- maybe), you should message the hotel first thru the website (or just call them) to confirm that before reserving (especially during Covid, so many rooms / condo's offered as NO REFUND), and then again a day or two prior to arrival. Rules change without notice. By that I mean: 1) Without notice from the government, and / or 2) Without notice from the hotel or condo owner.

Don't forget to tip your cabbie.

[QUOTE=Stykler;2616396]I suspect that some countries on the Green List have supplied some of the green stuff to a number of officials to be honest. It's the only way they could be on it.[/QUOTE]The WHO has strict requirements for its members to be accurate bean counters. China ran afoul a number of years ago and there was a terrible brouhaha. Heads rolled. The WHO can't do it's job unless there is accountability. No cooking the books. I would trust the numbers.

The heads that rolled in China that I remember are 1) the doctor who cautioned his graduating medical school alumni class' forum to be careful out there as something is not right. And 2) the China doctor who released the Covid19 genetic sequence; though multiple labs in China had their own independent results. And 3) the China techies who tried to preserve the social media history of the early stages of the outbreak in China.

Some number crunches recently reported that calculation and their models estimates that actual covid cases are 16 times or such higher.

PCR and lateral flow tests are expensive. The former requires labs which the WHO has positioned around Africa. But the reagents are still expensive. When you start moving around and pay for your own tests, you will see.

Africa has a very low Covid infection rate. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop to explain why.

Really can't trust world political organizations. Like the UN human rights. This is from WSJ. Google is your friend.

World Bank Cancels Flagship 'Doing Business' Report After Investigation.

Probe faults leaders including Kristalina Georgieva, now IMF managing director, who disagrees with findings.

[QUOTE=TheRose;2617485]The WHO has strict requirements for its members to be accurate bean counters. China ran afoul a number of years ago and there was a terrible brouhaha. Heads rolled. The WHO can't do it's job unless there is accountability. No cooking the books. I would trust the numbers.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bushes;2618757] Really can't trust world political organizations. Like the UN human rights. This is from WSJ. Google is your friend.[/QUOTE]Google is whose friend? Should we assume this is sarcasm? Google and Apple recently shut down the social media app of the Russian opposition as Putin's re-election opened. Simply put, Google and Apple want to be able to continue to do business in Russia.

[URL]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-16/russia-targets-google-apple-in-crackdown-before-elections[/URL]

Personally, I trust UN agencies more than other sources. The UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, like other UN agencies, have more than 3,000 consulting NGOs at their disposal. This is because member nations often cannot be trusted to inform the broader UN body about things going on within their borders or conflicts with neighboring countries. NGOs are by nature, much more independent. I realize NGO is a dirty word in this forum, but there's really only a handful of them that are trying to catch human sex trafficking. There are plenty of things not to like about NGOs, but their consultative status with the UN is probably not one of them.

Hello guys. Whats the latest on the tourist visa entry to philippines? Can tourists visit without quarantine?

[QUOTE=Sandy1984;2619083]Hello guys. Whats the latest on the tourist visa entry to philippines? Can tourists visit without quarantine?[/QUOTE]I believe tourists can not yet visit.

On another, but good, note. See pic. In the news this morning was an article on which vaccines will be accepted by the US when inbound foreigner travel starts next month in the US. If the US is about to do it, others will probably watch for spikes, then follow suit.

WC.

[QUOTE=Sandy1984;2619083]Hello guys. Whats the latest on the tourist visa entry to philippines? Can tourists visit without quarantine?[/QUOTE]Not allowed for USA tourist.

Finally learned what the new 'Alert Levels' are. See pic. This replaces the previous ECQ / MCQ.

When the NCR came out of its last strict MECQ, we were at Level 4 (the strictest of 1 thru 4 levels). Then the past few weeks they lightened up to Level 3, which is set to continue thru Nov 14:

[URL]https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/808895/gov-t-extends-alert-level-3-in-ncr-until-nov-14-2021/story/[/URL]

From the article:

[I]Under Alert Level 3, several establishments including restaurants, gyms, cinemas and movie houses will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.[/I] I am used to pulling up my vax card on my phone before entering most any coffee shop now. While many eateries have re-opened, they have most of the chairs removed or taped off, and you can only enter if fully vaxxed.

In addition, two articles on the need to lower the Alert Level to 2, with reduced new cases and the economy (adding p3. 6 billion to the economy weekly).

[URL]https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/23/21/alert-level-2-in-ncr-possible-with-covid-19-decline[/URL]

[URL]https://www.bworldonline.com/further-lowering-alert-level-in-ncr-to-boost-economy-says-chua/?fbclid=IwAR3x-wHVR6LYd1BnE14iAEAo8ivPt3c9d99SMo4F7nBadQ2DMGaBRUSU_9w[/URL]

And there are about 78 NCR areas under lockdown:

[URL]https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/pnp-78-ncr-areas-under-granular-lockdown/ar-AAPZolu?fbclid=IwAR0M_CcvrC_JoEiHa2Mky2QpCZSBwaFADDtrN1qYo07_jdlBtdKk3plUNPU[/URL]

From the article:

[I]The number of areas under granular lockdown in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased to 78 from 76 as of Tuesday, based on data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) released Wednesday.

In an update, the PNP said the areas under lockdown are located in 54 barangays. The areas under granular lockdown included 46 houses, 21 residential buildings, seven subdivisions or villages, and four streets. According to the PNP Public Information Office, local government units (LGUs) have the authority to impose or lift the lockdowns. To ensure security and adherence to minimum health standards, the PNP has deployed 304 personnel and 254 force multipliers to the concerned areas.

Metro Manila Council (MMC) head and Paraaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez earlier said the presence of one COVID-19 case is enough to lock down a house or a condominium floor. To impose a lockdown along an entire street, there should be at least two COVID-19 cases.[/I]

Taxi's. Good luck. There has been for 4 days running a shortage of both Grab and regular taxi's. When Grabbing a Taxi (after 10 am, about), after entering departure and destination points, I quickly get a msg: "Sorry there are no drivers available". I then try a Grab car, same result. I have spent more than 10 minutes (or 20) at a time each of the last 4 days hunting taxi's on busy streets. The rare taxi that does come by already has a passenger.

Also, traffic is almost back to normal in the daytime -- bad since the past few weeks. It seems as if the number of cars on the road and people in the streets and sidewalk has increased, but not the number of taxi's.

The overnight curfew has been lifted in Metro Manila, another encouraging sign that things are starting to get back to normal there, but not so here in Cebu City which is currently under an 11.30 pm to 4 am overnight curfew. Apparently the police in Cebu City are not keen on lifting the curfew. They are not health professionals so I'm not sure why they should have any input into this, it should not be of any concern to them and they should mind their own business!

The police have said the overnight curfew had contributed to lowering the crime volume in the city, which it probably has, but the reason given for the overnight curfew when it was introduced was to try to contain the virus, not to reduce crime levels.

[B]News report today from Sunstar, link below;.[/B]

[I]PHILIP A. CEROJANO
November 04, 2021
CEBU City may also lift its curfew for a gradual shift to the new normal amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, following the announcement that the curfew in Metro Manila, comprised of 17 local government units, will be lifted on Nov. 4.

We will discuss it from the convergence point of view. If and when we are ready, then why not? Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama said on Wednesday, Nov. 3.

The acting mayor said he would first discuss the matter with officials of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Ahead of this meeting, however, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said Wednesday it would not recommend lifting the curfew.

The acting mayor has not said when he will convene the convergence meeting of the various sectors, including the business sector.

City Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the EOC, also said they would have to observe the Covid-19 situation in the city first.

Now, its too early. We have yet to see the effects of the loosening of our restrictions, on Covid-19 infections. Maybe in two weeks time, we are going to reassess the situation because it hasnt been too long yet that we allowed the minors to go out of their homes, Garganera said.

Since Covid-19 reached Cebu City, the City has imposed a curfew.

Last year, the curfew began as early as 8 p.m. during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, the strictest quarantine classification. This was moved later to 10 p.m. during the period of modified general community quarantine.

Now that the Alert Level System has been implemented and the city has been placed under Alert Level 2, the curfew has become shorter at from 11:30 pm to 4 a.m.

Under Alert Level 2 and since Oct. 25, minors in the city have been allowed to go out of their homes to enter establishments permitted to operate at limited capacity, for as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Just like in Metro Manila, new Covid-19 cases in Cebu City have dropped. Cebu City Health Department data show that in the last 10 days, 45 of the citys 80 barangays had not recorded any Covid-19 transmission.

Despite this, Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy city director for operation, wants the curfew maintained.

Parilla said the curfew had done a lot to reduce the number of new Covid-19 cases because this limited the mobility of the people at night.

The curfew had also contributed to lowering the crime volume in the city in the past few months as people returned home early.

We prefer to still have a curfew because at least we would still be in control. Aside from controlling (the growth of) Covid cases, the curfew has had a big impact on crime volume, Parilla said.

In fact, the CCPOs Covid-19 response that has kept Covid-19 cases low was even held up as a model, whose best practices Camp Crame instructed all police regional offices nationwide to adopt.

Police Col. Roderick Minong, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office 7, said that while Covid-19 cases in major cities in the capital and in Mindanao increased, Covid cases in Cebu City continued to decline.

Parilla said the CCPO could only propose the maintenance of the curfew to the EOC, and that if the government decided to lift the curfew, it would have to abide by this.

As of Nov. 3, there were only around 200 active cases of Covid-19 in Cebu City. As a result, the critical care utilization rate (CCUR) of the 15 hospitals located in Cebu City has been declining.

From the 80 percent CCUR in August, that brought harrowing scenes of patients receiving treatment inside their cars while waiting in line outside hospitals, now there is only a 15.48 percent occupancy of Covid-19 beds in hospitals, where only 63 patients from Cebu City continue to be treated for the viral infection.

Only barangays Talamban and Guadalupe have had active cases in the double-digits, at 16 and 14 active cases, in the past 10 days.

Some barangays had only one to eight active cases.

The EOC recorded only 10 new cases from 498 individuals who were swabbed, on Nov. 2.

Rama urged the people not to give up on their usual health precautions despite the decline in Covid cases in the city.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has agreed to lift the unified curfew hours in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) starting Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

A resolution signed by all the 17 Metro Manila mayors and MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos stated that the standardized 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew imposed during the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the Metro over the past month has been lifted.

However, the existing local ordinances on the curfew hours for persons below 18 years old will remain in effect.

Abalos said with the Christmas season approaching, mall operators also agreed to extend their operating hours until 11 p.m., instead of the usual 10 p.m. (CTL, AYB, TPM / SunStar Philippines)[/I]

[URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1912134/Cebu/Local-News/Acting-Mayor-Mike-Rama-mulls-lifting-Cebu-City-curfew-but-police-not-for-it[/URL]

Thanks mdemde for these infos.

Anyway if they keep a night curfew, at least could they decide to open borders.

Still waiting.

But, still no clear signs of opening, waiting.

And, waiting also for your next story in the Cebu section.

Some Covid stuff. Looks like a new treatment for Covid, from Pfizer. I think its a pill, given to those who are already sick. The study is not huge in number of subjects (I think I read about 800 people), but it looks very promising. Merck has already applied for a similar treatment FDA authorization:

[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/pfizer-says-effectiveness-covid-antiviral-110635778.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]A pill to treat COVID-19 from Pfizer significantly cut the risk of hospitalization and death in a clinical trial, the company has announced.

Pfizer said Friday its pill to treat COVID-19, Paxlovid, in a clinical trial was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 89 percent when it was given within three days of the onset of symptoms, The New York Times reports. [B]The trial consisted of participants "who are at high risk of progressing to severe illness," Pfizer said, and there were no deaths among the group treated with Paxlovid compared to 10 deaths in the placebo group[/B], per ABC News.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla described the news as a "real game-changer," adding the data suggests [B]the pill "has the potential to save patients' lives, reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections, and eliminate up to nine out of ten hospitalizations.[/B]" Pfizer executive Annaliesa Anderson also told The New York Times the "results are really beyond our wildest dreams."[/I]

What an amazing feat for the major drug companies to get thru trials for their various Covid vaccines in record time (warp speed). From:

[URL]http://www.marginc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Phase_I_II_III_for_website.pdf[/URL]

The article:

[I]A clinical trial (or study) consists of three phases. Even before any of the phases begin,
treatments are thoroughly tested in labs, sometimes on animals, in order to gather valuable
information about the toxicity of the investigational treatments.

Phase I studies are done to identify the proper dosage ranges for which an investigational drug
can be administered while monitoring and studying the method of absorption and possible
toxicity of a new treatment. In Phase I studies, an investigational drug is tested for the first time
in small numbers (usually between 20 and 100 subjects) on healthy volunteers. Volunteers are
administered the study drug in a single dose to start, with dosages gradually increasing until
minor side effects occur. This gives researchers valuable information on how the drug interacts
with the body while also alerting them to the common side effects. Participants in Phase I
studies are often confined for 24 hour periods at special overnight research centers where they
are closely studied and monitored with frequent blood and urine tests.

SNIP

In Phase II studies, researchers begin to understand the safety and effectiveness of the
investigational drug being tested. Phase II studies also deal with a relatively small number of
subjects, usually between 100 and 300 patients that have the targeted disease or condition.
Like Phase I studies, safety is the main goal of these trials. Phase II studies can often take
between one and three years to complete and are geared towards adjusting treatment doses.
Researchers are also looking to monitor common side effects and whether patients improve as
a result of the drug. In Phase II studies subjects are randomized, or assigned to different
groups. One of the groups receives the study drug while the other group, or control group, will
receive the standard treatment or a placebo for part or possibly the duration of the study. Phase
II studies are usually double-blinded, which means neither the patient nor the researchers know
whether a patient is receiving the investigational drug or a placebo/standard treatment. Only
about 1/3 of drugs that enter clinical testing complete the Phase II process.

Phase III studies provide the facts about an investigational drug through extensive testing of
the safety, efficacy, and proper dosage levels in a large group of patients with a specific illness
or disease. In a Phase III study the investigational drug may be tested on several thousand
subjects over a two to five year span. In Phase III, the goal is to have practicing physicians
evaluate the investigational drug and its positive and negative effects. Often times the Phase III
research includes evaluating the safety and effectiveness of treatment on various subsets of
patients such as men versus women, African American versus Caucasian, elderly versus
young, etc. Many drugs tested in Phase III may already be approved by the FDA but are being
evaluated against a placebo or the existing standard treatment for the particular illness or
disease. Treatments that have reached Phase III have already passed toxicity testing and have
proved to be at least somewhat effective. About 80% of drugs that enter Phase III will
successfully complete it.[/I]

Unfortunately it has become a bipartisan argument. Fauci is in CYA mode and has changed the website info on the research and is demanding more information from the researchers who received the funding. WHO has finally paid attention and that the project recipients were probably not the most impartial inspectors / investigators; unfortunately since they are probably the most knowledgeable. Google is your friend.

As the released US intelligence report suggested, we will most likely miss / missed the window to find the source of the Covid-Sars2/ Covid19 virus. Information out of China is protected by extremely strong data privacy laws.

These are the 2020 UN Human rights council members Bolivia, China, côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, France, Gabon, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan.

Russian Federation, Senegal, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. Would I dare imply the wolf guarding the hen house?

As for the Covid pill, Fantastic! (If you or your insurance company has USD1000) Pfizer has really done a great pr and suggested allowing generics to be manufactured for several hundred USD eventually. A really bold and strategic move to take the high road. In more ways than one $. This is really great because it shows how money moves everything. Live Aid started a lot of the AIDS research and we are benefiting from research funded and derived from that era.

Unfortunately, research on SARs gain of function was not done of ISS or on the moon ala "Prometheus".

[QUOTE=Bushes;2612444]Every time I hear Fauci, I think of the gain of function research he funded in Wuhan and kept quiet for a year and a half. Then there is the no mask advice. And the no PPE advice.

At least in Prometheus, they did the experiments and storage on a different planet / universe and not on the other side of the same planet.

As for the vaccine research, the test groups are not in the millions. Phase 3 trials might be in the thousands. It depends on what is reported back to the manufacturer from the front line doctors / medical institutions. There is not a bottomless pit of money to pay for tests. I am sure, many things fall through the cracks and will only surface later. Covid tests cost money are are not 100% accurate..[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2622059]The overnight curfew has been lifted in Metro Manila, another encouraging sign that things are starting to get back to normal there, but not so here in Cebu City which is currently under an 11.30 pm to 4 am overnight curfew. Apparently the police in Cebu City are not keen on lifting the curfew. They are not health professionals so I'm not sure why they should have any input into this, it should not be of any concern to them and they should mind their own business![/QUOTE]Speaking of Cebu. Seems things might be changing: Lifting of the face shield.

[URL]https://ph.news.yahoo.com/rama-lifts-wearing-face-shields-100000951.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]CEBU City Acting Mayor Michael Rama will lift the requirement to wear face shields inside establishments such as malls and traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJ).

Rama is scheduled to issue a directive Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, to allow people to enter establishments even without a face shield but it would still be mandatory to wear a face mask.

For air-conditioned transportation, the face shield requirement stays, [B]but the malls wont need that anymore because these are not crowded places[/B]. The places that require face shields are hospitals, laboratories and other crowded places, Rama said.[/I]

Not sure who thinks malls aren't crowded places.

Curfew has been lifted in Angeles City also. It still remains at Midnight in Olongapo but people are moving around 24 hours a day. It only seems to assure businesses close by 12. As well BI has said it is ready to open the borders but have not given any timeframe of when that could happen. With the way things have gone since March of 2020 that could mean anytime between next week and the year 2525.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2624440]Speaking of Cebu. Seems things might be changing: Lifting of the face shield.

[URL]https://ph.news.yahoo.com/rama-lifts-wearing-face-shields-100000951.html[/URL]

From the article:

[I]CEBU City Acting Mayor Michael Rama will lift the requirement to wear face shields inside establishments such as malls and traditional public utility jeepneys (TPUJ).

Rama is scheduled to issue a directive Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, to allow people to enter establishments even without a face shield but it would still be mandatory to wear a face mask.

For air-conditioned transportation, the face shield requirement stays, [B]but the malls wont need that anymore because these are not crowded places[/B]. The places that require face shields are hospitals, laboratories and other crowded places, Rama said.[/I]

Not sure who thinks malls aren't crowded places.[/QUOTE]

OK. If its 5 am UTC, what time is it in Phils?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2624845]OK. If its 5 am UTC, what time is it in Phils?[/QUOTE]What ever time you are trying to log on. Most likely immediately after you have finished typing a long post or reply.

5 to 10 forum minutes can also be 30 to 60 US minutes.

Welcome came to web Hosting 😁.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2624845]OK. If its 5 am UTC, what time is it in Phils?[/QUOTE]Here is your answer below. The thing that puzzles me about the ISG timing is the time indicated in the tops left of the posting, like Westcoast's AC posting: "Today 01.03". My question: Is this UTC time?

[QUOTE=KongKing;2625073]Here is your answer below. The thing that puzzles me about the ISG timing is the time indicated in the tops left of the posting, like Westcoast's AC posting: "Today 01.03". My question: Is this UTC time?[/QUOTE]Good graphic explanation. So Phils, at 12:30 pm, same time as UTC at 4:30 am, would be forward 8 hours. Those msgs that I receive from ISG (Notices) almost never come during that time. They appear at 10 am, 4 pm, 5:30 pm, 7 pm. Never near the Phils lunch hour. Mostly at times as described by Goferring: Anytime I try to post (or preview) a lengthy report.

I have always been puzzled by the date / time stamp on my posts. Those times don't seem to correlate to anything.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2625097]I have always been puzzled by the date / time stamp on my posts. Those times don't seem to correlate to anything.[/QUOTE]I posted my last message at 10.08 Philippines time but at the top of my posting it says "Today 13.08". Three hours ahead of my local time. So I was wondering if the administrator was located in a time zone 3 hours ahead. Eastern seaboard of Australia? An Australian ISG administrator? Nothing against Australians!

[QUOTE=KongKing;2625139]I posted my last message at 10.08 Philippines time but at the top of my posting it says "Today 13.08". Three hours ahead of my local time. So I was wondering if the administrator was located in a time zone 3 hours ahead. Eastern seaboard of Australia? An Australian ISG administrator? Nothing against Australians![/QUOTE]I thought the times displayed were adjusted to the time zone nominated in your UCP settings. I'm in Sydney which is currently GMT +11 with DST, and the time is displaying correctly.

Check your settings.

[QUOTE=KongKing;2625139]I posted my last message at 10.08 Philippines time but at the top of my posting it says "Today 13.08". Three hours ahead of my local time. So I was wondering if the administrator was located in a time zone 3 hours ahead. Eastern seaboard of Australia? An Australian ISG administrator? Nothing against Australians![/QUOTE]I thought the times displayed were adjusted to the time zone nominated in your UCP settings. I'm in Sydney which is currently GMT +11 with DST, and the time is displaying correctly. Have a look at the Front Page of the forum and check the "current time" at the bottom of the page.

Check your settings.

[QUOTE=KongKing;2625139]I posted my last message at 10.08 Philippines time but at the top of my posting it says "Today 13.08". Three hours ahead of my local time. So I was wondering if the administrator was located in a time zone 3 hours ahead. Eastern seaboard of Australia? An Australian ISG administrator? Nothing against Australians![/QUOTE]The current time is 3:44 pm (15:44) in one of my favorite Asian countries. Lets see what shows on the time stamp later.

* Edit: And says "Today 00:43" on the posting (see pic). Indicating 12:43am tomorrow, 9 hours later than Phils? Or indicating 12:43am early this morning, 15 hours before phils?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2625209]The current time is 3:44 pm (15:44) in one of my favorite Asian countries. Lets see what shows on the time stamp later.

* Edit: And says "Today 00:43" on the posting (see pic). Indicating 12:43am tomorrow, 9 hours later than Phils? Or indicating 12:43am early this morning, 15 hours before phils?[/QUOTE]What a difference an hour (or less) makes. Now, 4:38 pm and 54 minutes after that post, the post's timestamp shows "Today 08:43" (see pic).

[QUOTE=DashingDon;2613500]Based on plummeting covid case rates in Metro Manila, Bureau of Immigration chief Jaime Morente is optimistic that travel restrictions for inbound tourists will be lifted soon, but cautions that the decision is up to the Inter Agency Task Force, per Philippine Lifestyle News, October 11. Currently, there are no outbound restrictions for Filipinos however, only Filipinos, Balikbayans and foreigners with residency permits are permitted to enter.

International travel for the vaccinated is starting to return with almost daily reports of loosening of restrictions; Malaysia and Singapore being the latest to announce partial re openings.

Maybe soon the games will begin again with gusto as planeloads of merry foreigners descend on the fair shores of the motherland. The board abuzz with chatter about the latest conquest; punters earnestly seeking advise from fellow hobbyists on the moral fiber of this or that bar girl; and the inevitable storm in a teacup regarding the member who 'paid too much' and thus 'ruined it for the rest of us'.

Can't wait.[/QUOTE]Is this the same Dashing Don that I met in Makati years ago? I recognize the hypnotic rhythms and eloquently expressive phrasing of your posts. It's good to see a familiar name.

Yes, I know, I've been MIA for a few years but it's good to be back. And like you, I too am looking forward to the games beginning again.

BTW: I am planning a trip in the March / April timeframe, I hope things are opened up a little by then.

G.

[QUOTE=Guinness1;2626736]BTW: I am planning a trip in the March / April timeframe, I hope things are opened up a little by then.

G.[/QUOTE]Some mild good news. The bars in Malate / Pasay area are beginning to re-open. Padi's Point on Buendia (just west of the Taft LRT station) is now open. There is not entertainment allowed yet, but that could come after November 30 if the Alert Level goes from its current #2 to #1. Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES. . . !

Disclosure: I have no idea if anything has re-opened in Burgos.

The sooner you fellas get back here the better, to take all this poon off my hands (and face). One man can do only so much vag-vaxxing, and his hands might get full.

Hi,

In your opinion what are the best free and paying dating sites for Philippines?

Thank you.

Another CDC graph showing cases (red) and deaths (blue) disparity between vaccinated / un-vaccinated. I have not found a similar graph for Philippines.

[QUOTE=JonesLover;2627054]Hi,

In your opinion what are the best free and paying dating sites for Philippines?

Thank you.[/QUOTE]I have been using [URL]https://www.dateinasia.com[/URL] (free) and [URL]https://www.pinalove.com[/URL] (it has a free version which limits the number of messages you can send, and a membership version with no such limits) and have had good results over the last 2+ years I have been living in Cebu City. But, as with all dating sites, it's a numbers game, so be prepared to put a lot of work into arranging meets by way of sending out lots of messages. My experience is that not all girls will respond, some will, and then sometimes after 4 or 5 chat exchanges they will ignore your messages. But if you stick with it I'm sure these sites will work for you as well.

A news story published online this morning, link below;.

[I][B]The Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified today that the Philippines is still closed to foreign tourists.[/B]
By Margret Fermin -November 17,2021.

"The country remains closed to foreign tourists. Only those under the allowed categories as set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) if coming from green or yellow countries may be admitted to enter," Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Morente stressed that, while there are encouraging signs that the country might soon reopen its borders, the BI will continue to restrict the entry of foreign tourists until the government decides to the lift the travel ban on them.

Presently, only Filipinos, balikbayan, and foreigners with valid and existing visas issued by the BI and other specialized government agencies are allowed to enter the country.

Those who wish to travel to the Philippines under a tourist visa may only do so if they apply for a 9 (a) temporary visitors' visa, and an entry exemption document (EED) from Philippine posts abroad.

Morente said that, while the BI is ready and prepared for the eventual reopening of the country to foreign tourists, the decision to reopen will come from the President and the IATF-MEID.

The BI Chief issued the statement following reports that the Bureau's offices were being swamped with queries from persons who assumed that foreign tourists can now enter the country after Metro Manila was placed under the less restrictive Alert Level 2 status.

"We advise the public to refer to our website and social media pages to keep themselves updated on our latest advisories on guidelines and requirements for international travelers," he said.

[B]The Palace earlier said that the Philippines will again be welcoming foreign tourists "in due time," saying such a move will depend on the experience of other countries who have already opened their borders to foreign visitors.[/B]

For inquiries, please contact Bureau of Immigration at (02) 527 3248.[/I]

[URL]https://philippineslifestyle.com/ph-still-closed-to-foreign-tourists/[/URL]