Manila

[QUOTE=Manta Ray]........
Now I keep all the numbers and just edit the name in my phone book with a note like ('done') or a date, so when I get that text out of the blue, I at least immediately know who it is.

Of course an occasional purge of numbers is necessary if you're a long time resident, or perhaps a personal policy of just immediately deleting all texts without reply from numbers you don't recognize--but I am still in 'keep all numbers' mode.

Manta Ray[/QUOTE]Manta I have just graduated out of your "keep all numbers" mode after doing exactly what you are doing in updating the list.

Now I just delete numbers I don't recognise. I reckon that is a consequence of living here permanently and needing to keep a list "fresh", but I can see where you are coming from and if it works for you then stick with it.

[QUOTE=Macho Dik]Dear All,

I am planning to visit Manila and planning to stay at Heritage Hotel, I was away from MANILA FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS NOW and believed there is a lot of changes by now. Ok, lets start with few questions and hope for your quick advises;

1) I Heritage a guest or girl friendly hotel? Or is there any other hotel nearby that is girl frinedly and near the mongering spot and at the same time not far from Domestic airport too (I will go to masbate as well after Manila)

2) I have been to L. A. Cafe before and hook up some talent overthere, how is the on going rate (ST / LT) right now?

3) any other place to hook some freelancer for LT, please advise.

4) Have been to Harizzon plaza before and have some girls for ST, how is the rate at this time.

5) I rememebr way back before that my friend bring me to some beerhouses where in there is ago-go dancer and have some girls come to your table and chat with you and even can arrange some night out, is there any places like this anymore?

6) How about hooking up with colleage girls?

Sorry for feeding so much questions as I will only be staying for few nights and heading to pALAWAN SOO. SO WILL APPRECIATE FOR ALL INFORMATIONS YOU GIVEN TO ME.

CHEERS,

MD[/QUOTE]You need to do a bit of homework MD.

All the answers are here in the last month of posts. Your questions are way too broad for me to even start addressing and I reckon you should look through earlier posts.

[QUOTE=Macho Dik]Dear All,

I am planning to visit Manila and planning to stay at Heritage Hotel, I was away from MANILA FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS NOW and believed there is a lot of changes by now. Ok, lets start with few questions and hope for your quick advises;

1) I Heritage a guest or girl friendly hotel? Or is there any other hotel nearby that is girl frinedly and near the mongering spot and at the same time not far from Domestic airport too (I will go to masbate as well after Manila)

2) I have been to L. A. Cafe before and hook up some talent overthere, how is the on going rate (ST / LT) right now?

3) Any other place to hook some freelancer for LT, please advise.

4) Have been to Harizzon plaza before and have some girls for ST, how is the rate at this time.

5) I rememebr way back before that my friend bring me to some beerhouses where in there is ago-go dancer and have some girls come to your table and chat with you and even can arrange some night out, is there any places like this anymore?

6) How about hooking up with colleage girls?

Sorry for feeding so much questions as I will only be staying for few nights and heading to pALAWAN SOO. SO WILL APPRECIATE FOR ALL INFORMATIONS YOU GIVEN TO ME.

CHEERS,

MD[/QUOTE]1. Yes

2. 1, 000 to 1, 500 php

3. Right across the street from Heritage is the EDSA entertainment complex.

You will find hundreds of girls there

4. I wouldn't waste my time trolling the malls when you have the EDSA

Complex across the street and other daytime availability at LA Cafe

5. EDSA complex

6. Why troll for college girls when EDSA complex is right across the street?

Walk out the front door of Heritage and the pedestrian foot bridge is a hundred yards away. Cross the street at the footbridge and go directly to the EDSA complex. You will think you died and went to heaven.

On my first trip to the Philippines it was a nightmare using the cell phones to talk to the girls. I never texted before in the US, I just call the person, make my point and be done with it. It would take forever to type in a simple response to the girl.

For example in the time it took me to type " Angel, the taxi driver is trying to find your house now, please wait for me"

While I was typing that one sentence to her, I would receive about 10 texts from her that would read something like this:
how are you
are you coming now
how come you are not here
are you mad at me
please respond
why u not come
U Liar Boy
I go to sleep now

ect, ect, until I would finally just give up on the text and call the girls number and hand the phone to the driver to get the directions to her house directly.
I found it was just easier to call the girl directly and speak for a minute or two, Plus the girls rarely get phone calls, so it is kind of special that someone is spending the money to hear their voice.

I have now been using my iphone for texting and chatting on yahoo, while I am at home.So I am can text fairly quick using the ipone keyboard screen.But I am concerned about taking the phone to the Philippines, I am would be very nervous holding a gadget in my hand that is worth close to a Pinoys yearly pay.

On my last visit to the PI (March 2009) I spent most of my time in Manila, I noticed quite a few wealthy locals using the iPhone. I was using my unlocked iPhone with a Globe sim. Globe was offering the iPhone for sale at the time.

I think you will be just fine using the iPhone.

It's always wise to be prudent, but I wouldn't worry too much. I've got an iPhone and a BlackBerry and I carry one or the other wherever I am. Just be aware of your surroundings and don't walk down the street while texting on it. Lock it up if you know you're not going to be alone in your room.

GE

If you haven't been at Heritage Hotel for 5 yrs., be prepared for the price change!! Last I checked it was well over $100USD per night. Might be better off in the "cheap" Malate area of Palm Plaza hotel chain. Then you can just walk to LA Cafe, Robinson's mall, etc. Not too many places to walk to from Heritage hotel. Just a thought. Enjoy.

[QUOTE=Mr Hawaii]If you haven't been at Heritage Hotel for 5 yrs., be prepared for the price change!! Last I checked it was well over $100USD per night. Might be better off in the "cheap" Malate area of Palm Plaza hotel chain. Then you can just walk to LA Cafe, Robinson's mall, etc. Not too many places to walk to from Heritage hotel. Just a thought. Enjoy.[/QUOTE]
I've stayed at the Heritage a few times, and I have never liked the place. I always felt it was somewhat seedy and overpriced, and the service was just mediocre. Of course, you can walk across the street to EDSA Entertainment Complex, but that's not much of an inducement for me. All told, I suggest you find somewhere that's a bit more convivial.

GE

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]I've stayed at the Heritage a few times, and I have never liked the place. I always felt it was somewhat seedy and overpriced, and the service was just mediocre. Of course, you can walk across the street to EDSA Entertainment Complex, but that's not much of an inducement for me. All told, I suggest you find somewhere that's a bit more convivial.

GE[/QUOTE]


Many thanks for all brother extending helping hand to me!

As it's been a long while have not visited Manila so I am sure everything has changed a lot, aside from Heritage, what other options, fyi, I am on a business trip so I hope to find some hotel to be a bit respectable to my clinets and at teh same time accessible to the mongering area and the hotel has to be girl friendly for my after work relaxation.

Just for confirmations, is the price rate for st is 1000 php? and the price rate for LT is 1500php? I hope that I can taste those lovely filipinas that is very "carinosa" as everyone is saying. hope this will be equally pleassure to me as compare to my trip to Bangkon.

Cheers,

MD

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]I've stayed at the Heritage a few times, and I have never liked the place. I always felt it was somewhat seedy and overpriced, and the service was just mediocre. Of course, you can walk across the street to EDSA Entertainment Complex, but that's not much of an inducement for me. All told, I suggest you find somewhere that's a bit more convivial.GE[/QUOTE]

I always used the Heritage before when I was transiting through Manila because it is near EDSA IEC and close to the airport, but the price is now way too high for the facility and service. I agree that any of Pan Pacific, Hyatt, Executive Plaza are better now because of the range of additional bars around that area, and it is still easy to get to the airport along Roxas Blvd. it is also only a 50 - 100 php taxi ride to EDSA if you wish to go there.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]It's always wise to be prudent, but I wouldn't worry too much. I've got an iPhone and a BlackBerry and I carry one or the other wherever I am. Just be aware of your surroundings and don't walk down the street while texting on it. Lock it up if you know you're not going to be alone in your room.

GE[/QUOTE]
Good advice GE. I tend to put my BB and mobiles in a simple plastic bag, a trick I learnt from a mate in Brazil 20+ years ago. His executive briefcase was a supermarket bag as Rio was a muggers magnet and he was never hassled.

Maybe also that I am very tall, big etc so maybe they like to pick on small guys....:D

But never text and walk at same time, that is asking for potential attention. I can multi task but save that for more important matters ;)

[QUOTE=Bob Bowie]On my first trip to the Philippines it was a nightmare using the cell phones to talk to the girls. I never texted before in the US, I just call the person, make my point and be done with it. It would take forever to type in a simple response to the girl.

For example in the time it took me to type " Angel, the taxi driver is trying to find your house now, please wait for me"

While I was typing that one sentence to her, I would receive about 10 texts from her that would read something like this:
how are you
are you coming now
how come you are not here
are you mad at me
please respond
why u not come
U Liar Boy
I go to sleep now

ect, ect, until I would finally just give up on the text and call the girls number and hand the phone to the driver to get the directions to her house directly.
I found it was just easier to call the girl directly and speak for a minute or two, Plus the girls rarely get phone calls, so it is kind of special that someone is spending the money to hear their voice.

I have now been using my iphone for texting and chatting on yahoo, while I am at home.So I am can text fairly quick using the ipone keyboard screen.But I am concerned about taking the phone to the Philippines, I am would be very nervous holding a gadget in my hand that is worth close to a Pinoys yearly pay.[/QUOTE]You learn to be very terse in your txting. Its the only way. Long txt's are simply not understood because the girls have a shallow understanding of written english & are txt'ing 5 other cousins/friends simultaneously in any event. Also as you discovered long responses are too slow to keep up with the rapid fire responses from these attention deficit txt maniacs.

Filipino's are neither logical nor organised. Txt'ing street names/prominent land marks gets vague non answer replies. Yes I agree often its better to give up & get another filipino to talk to them unless you are fairly fluent in the language.

_DO_NOT_ take your expensive cell phone out of your pocket on the street or crowded public places. Snatchers are a real & constant threat.

Keep a low profile. You are being watched wherever you go. Not just by crims. Filipinos are massive gossips (men as well as women) & they dont let facts get in the way of a good story. Being naughty in a part of town where you are known is bound to get back to ears you wish had'nt heard.

AV

Hello Gentlemen,

I was hoping that someone would be able to answer a few basic questions for me. I'm currently planning my very first trip to Asia in September. I've traveled extensively throughout Central and South America (Medellin is my favorite), but have never taken the long trip to the Orient. I plan on being there for two and half weeks in total. The first week and a half, and the primary reason for going, is to visit a girlfiend in Hong Kong. Most of my time there will be with her (although I might slip away for a day!). I will then have seven days to visit a second destination. I would like to visit either Thailand or the Phillipines. I've also heard great things about both. Given my limited time, the fact that I will be travelling alone, and that have never been to Asia, which one would you recommend? I've been digging through the material on the forum for both countries, but there are hundreds of pages and it is hard to get an concise version.

I've been looking at airfares from Hong Kong to either Manilla or Bangkok and both are very cheap. However, it appears that Bangkok hotels are cheaper. Which country is the best value for girls? I prefer overnight long term dates to short sessions. I also prefer more of a girlfriend experience to quickies. If I visit Thailand, would you recommend a few days in Bangkok and then the rest at Pattaya? The Penthouse Hotel which is advertised on the banner of the ISG looks like it would be a good option for a newbie and they offer airport pickup. Do you recommend it? Is there a inexpensive hotel (around $50-$75) in Bangkok which is girl friendly that you would recommend?

If I visit the Philippines instead, should I stick to Manilla or try to make it to Angeles City? It seems from the posts that I've read, it is difficult to get to Angeles City. Is there a recommended cheaper hotel for the stay in Manilla.

Thank you for any assistance that anyone can provide. One final question would be which country has more touristy things to do during the day. Thanks again.

Steve

I have been to both Thailand and P.I. more than 20 times. Others will offer their opinion, here is mine: More tourist things to do (exotic culture/history) is Thailand. Raw, commercialized, unhibited, pure sex for $$$ - Thailand.

For the girlfriend experience - P.I. English is spoken by all, very friendly, easier to score with non-working girls. Just stay in Manila, read the forum. Makati or Malate, it doesn't matter much for first time. But do make it to LA Cafe and EDSA.

Orlando Man, this topic has been debated endlessly and the debate will continue I'm sure. For me, the choice should depend on your primary reasons for coming.

If an interesting culture, great food, and endless commercial sex are your primary motivators then Thailand wins hands down. (Of course the current political turmoil and the street protests in Bangkok may be a deterrent here, as it appears they're getting worse and paralyzing ever more of the city.)

On the other hand, if you're looking for true GFE or a great semblance thereof, even with commercial sex workers, and you're not too picky about food, and being able to communicate in at least rudimentary English is important, then the Philippines should attract your money. The local food sucks, the physical infrastructure is strictly third world and the culture isn't terribly interesting, but the people are for the most part kind, welcome foreigners and are, in general, more friendly to strangers than the Thais.

There are lots of less expensive hotels in Manila and they've been written about extensively here. I suggest you search the hotel thread and pick one that's in a suitable area for you.

GE